World · Sri Lanka Bureau
Chinese technician arrested with Rs 3m contraband cigarettes at airport
A 38-year-old Chinese national employed as a technician has been apprehended at Bandaranaike International Airport with an illegal consignment of cigarettes valued at Rs 3 million. The suspect was intercepted while attempting to transport the contraband out of the country.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
Airport authorities arrested the foreign national at Katunayake on September 21 after discovering the Chinese-manufactured cigarettes in his possession. The consignment, which had been illegally brought into Sri Lanka, represents a significant breach of customs regulations governing the movement of excisable goods.
Officers from the Airport and Aviation Services Security Unit detected the contraband during routine screening procedures. The discovery came as the suspect was preparing to depart the country, marking a coordinated effort between airport personnel to intercept illicit goods at the point of exit.
The arrest underscores ongoing efforts by Sri Lankan authorities to combat smuggling operations at the nation's primary international gateway. Cigarettes remain a frequently targeted commodity in smuggling attempts due to excise tax differentials and duty exemptions that create market incentives for illegal trade.
The suspect is currently in custody pending further investigation and processing through relevant legal channels. The case highlights security measures in place at Bandaranaike International Airport to prevent the trafficking of contraband goods through the facility.