Customs destroy 3 m counterfeit cigarettes worth over Rs. 75 m

Sri Lanka Customs yesterday destroyed a large quantity of counterfeit cigarettes seized from many smuggling attempts through the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) during the first half of this year. 

The Customs handed over around three million sticks of cigarettes with an estimated value of over Rs. 75 million to Ceylon Tobacco Company for destruction. 

The attempted evasion of duties and other levies for the seized cigarettes were around Rs. 480 million.

The seized contraband had been imported mostly from United Arab Emirates, Qatar, India, Cambodia and China using the passengers coming to Sri Lanka by air. 

Customs Spokesman Additional Director General Seevali Arukgoda said the assistance provided by the Border Risk Assessment Centre (BRAC) was crucial in identifying these high-risk passengers at the airport.  Manchester, Benson & Hedges, Gold Leaf, Malboro, Dunhill, Esse, Platinum, Diamond along with several Chinese brands were among the seized cigarettes. The cigarettes were forfeited under the sections of Customs Ordinance after penalising the passengers involved in smuggling. The destruction of the seized goods was carried out under stringent regulations to ensure environmental safety and compliance with laws.

Arukgoda asserted that this operation is part of a broader strategy to combat illegal tobacco trade, which poses serious health risks and undermines legal market structures. 

He reiterated their commitment to enhancing border security and preventing the influx of prohibited goods into Sri Lanka.  Top officials including Customs Chief Sarath Nonis, Additional Director General Achala Chandrasekara, Additional Director General Seevali Arukgoda, Customs Director Padmini Kumarihami with Ceylon Tobacco Company CEO Fariya Subani, Ceylon Tobacco Company Deputy CEO Kavinda Nanayakkara and Ceylon Tobacco Company AIT Manager Amila Madurangana witnessed the destruction. 

The crushed remains of the tobacco were then sent to incineration at Western Power mega garbage dump in Kerawalapitiya.