Two Indian nationals have been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) with a consignment of Chinese-manufactured cigarettes worth Rs. 7.98 million.
The duo was arrested by officers of the Police Narcotics Bureau in the early hours of today (19), while the suspects were attempting to take the illegally imported cigarette stock out of the airport premises.
Police said the suspects, both aged 26, are residents of Hyderabad and Mumbai, India.
Investigations revealed that the suspects had purchased the cigarettes in Cambodia and travelled to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, before arriving in Sri Lanka today.
A search of their luggage led to the discovery of 266 cigarette cartons containing 53,200 cigarettes concealed inside their bags.
The suspects have been released on police bail and are due to appear before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court on July 21.
