A Chinese national has been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake for attempting to smuggle out of the country edible bird’s nests, dried sea cucumber and dried sea horses.
The 35-year-old suspect, bound to Guangzhou, China by UL 884 of last evening (29) was apprehended by the Customs Staff attached to the Bio Diversity Unit at the Departure.
They found 900 grams of edible bird’s nests, 1 Kg of dried sea cucumber, 100 grams of dried Sea Horses and 3 mugs made of Salacia reticulata (Kothala himbutu) valued at Rs 322,000 in his possession.
The suspect was released on a penalty of Rs 25,000 having forfeited the goods, Sri Lanka Customs said.
Meanwhile in a separate detection two Sri Lankan males were apprehended at the green channel of BIA arrival while trying to take out 88 cartons of foreign cigarettes valued at Rs 880,000.
The suspects, aged 28 and 37, had arrived from Kuwait by KU 361 at 3.15am of today (30) and were released on a penalty of Rs. 350, 0000 having forfeited the goods.
