An Assistant Superintendent of Sri Lanka Customs has been arrested over his alleged involvement in the falsification of documents to re-export 23 containers of dried Indonesian areca nuts to India as Sri Lankan areca nuts.

The arrest has been made by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), according to the Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana.

The arrestee was identified as a 29-year-old from Wadduwa area.

DIG Rohana said the financial crimes investigation unit of the CID had launched a probe into the incident several months ago.

During the probes carried out from August to October in 2020, three suspects were taken into custody over 23 containers of areca nuts imported from Indonesia. The consignment was valued at Rs. 300 million.

Investigators have uncovered that documents pertaining to the seizure of 23 containers in question had been forged with the intention of re-exporting them as locally-grown areca nuts.

Accordingly, the said Customs officer was placed under arrest on Monday (April 12) in connection with the incident.

As per reports, the officer in question has been suspended and probes against him are to be carried out under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act.