A Chinese national has been arrested by Sri Lanka Customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) today (25) for allegedly attempting to smuggle a consignment of foreign-manufactured cigarettes worth Rs. 630,000 into the country.
The suspect has been identified as a 40-year-old Chinese national, Customs officials said.
According to officials, the suspect was apprehended while attempting to exit through the "Green Channel," which is designated for passengers with nothing to declare.
He had arrived at the BIA from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at 12.55 a.m. today on AirAsia flight AK 047.
Upon inspection, Customs officers discovered a total of 201 cartons containing 40,200 foreign-manufactured cigarettes concealed inside two suitcases in his possession, officials said.
The suspect has been detained by Customs officials at BIA, and further investigations into the incident are underway.
