Custom nabs two suspects with 9.5 kg Gold worth over Rs. 200 m at BIA

Sri Lanka Customs yesterday arrested two suspects who attempted to smuggle 9.5 kg of Gold biscuits worth over Rs. 200 million into the country through Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

As per the Customs, one suspect was a passenger who had arrived from Dubai via flight EK650 and a female staff member of a duty-free shop at the airport has been taken into custody. 

The detection and the investigation were carried out by the officers attached to the Narcotics Control Unit of Sri Lanka Customs at the BIA.

“Around 80 Gold biscuits were found in the possession of the suspects, while the total value of the Gold taken into custody is estimated at Rs. 205 million,” the Sri Lanka Customs said yesterday.

Last week, Sri Lanka Customs called on all travellers to restrain from bringing in any restricted commodities such as Gold, cigarettes, medicines, ornamental plants, and items that are temporarily suspended by the Government due to foreign exchange issues prevailing in the country, noting failure to comply with regulations shall result in the forfeiture of all the commodities brought.

It also said that there has been an increase in bringing in restricted commodities by air travellers, in their accompanied and unaccompanied passenger baggage (UPB) in the recent past.