Thirteen Chinese nationals have been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for attempting to smuggle a consignment of foreign-manufactured cigarettes valued at around Rs. 31.89 million.
The suspects were taken into custody by Airport Customs officials this morning (18) while attempting to exit the airport through the “Green Channel”, which is designated for passengers with no items to declare.
According to Ada Derana reporter, the group had arrived at BIA at around 4.00 a.m. today from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Malaysia Airlines flight MH 179.
Officials said they had concealed a total of 1,063 cigarette cartons containing 212,600 sticks of foreign-made cigarettes inside their luggage and in boxes of tea leaves.
The suspects are currently being detained under the custody of Sri Lanka Customs officers at the BIA, and further investigations are underway.
