Customs officers at the Katunayake International Airport have arrested four Sri Lankan nationals, on separate instances, with undeclared gold worth over Rs 57.5 million in total last night, a spokesman said.

A Sri Lankan national was arrested with 10 gold biscuits wrapped with blue color tapes and concealed in his hand luggage, which he wanted to declare to customs.

The 54 year old man arrived in Colombo from Dubai by Emirates flight EK 750, customs media spokesman Leslie Gamini said.
 
The total weight of the gold is 10 kilograms and is estimated to be worth around Rs 50 million.

Following an inquiry held by customs officers the gold biscuits were forfeited while no penalty was imposed on him.

Meanwhile a Sri Lankan mother and daughter were detained by airport authorities and handed over to the Customs for attempting smuggle 20 pieces of gold buckles (silver plaited) to Chennai by SriLankan flight UL 123.

The 57-year-old woman and her 20-year-old daughter were arrested last night, the customs media spokesman said.

The gold pieces, which were concealed in 4 hand bags, weighing 1035 grams is valued at Rs 5,275,000.

Following the customs inquiry the gold was forfeited and they were each imposed a fine of Rs 25,000.

 Another Sri Lankan man was arrested by airport customs officers last night when he attempted to smuggle one piece of gold out of the country in a plastic bottle.

The 42-year-old was preparing to board a flight to Chennai, India by SriLankan Airlines flight UL 173 when he was arrested.

The total weigh of the gold is 462 grams and is valued at Rs 2,310,000.

After the customs inquiry held by the Deputy Director of Customs the goods were forfeited and a penalty of Rs 25,000 imposed