Seven Sri Lankans smuggling cigarettes from three countries nabbed at BIA
- CNL Reporter
- May 27, 2025
- News
- BIA
- 0 Comments
Seven Sri Lankan nationals returning from three Middle Eastern countries were apprehended by the Sri Lanka Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for attempting to smuggle in Rs.18.6 million worth illicit cigarettes.
The local passengers who were reportedly returning from Kuwait, Dubai and Oman on three different airlines had tried to leave the airport without declaring the contraband concealed in their baggages.
According to the BIA Customs sources the officials have seized 620 cartons of a brand and another, containing 124,000 sticks of cigarettes, of which the sale and use is completely prohibited in Sri Lanka.
Statements have been recorded from the seven male passengers, who are residents of Anuradhapura, Kekirawa, Kahawatta and Colombo.Customs officials forfeited the goods and a fine was imposed on each suspect.
