Sri Lanka Customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, have arrested 13 foreign passengers for allegedly attempting to smuggle a consignment of foreign-manufactured cigarettes into the country.
The seized stock of cigarettes is estimated to be valued at around Rs. 28.44 million and was being smuggled through the “Green Channel” of the arrival terminal, which is designated for passengers with nothing to declare.
The suspects are Chinese businesspersons aged between 28 and 45 years, an Ada Derana reporter said.
The arrested individuals had arrived at the BIA at around 1.10 a.m. today (02) onboard AirAsia and Batik Air flights from Bangkok, Thailand.
Upon inspection, Customs officials had discovered 948 cartons containing 189,600 sticks of cigarettes manufactured in China, concealed within 22 pieces of luggage belonging to the suspects.
The suspects are currently being detained by Airport Customs, and further investigations are underway.



