World · Sri Lanka Bureau
Myanmar man arrested at Colombo airport with Rs 46m narcotics haul
Customs authorities at Bandaranaike International Airport have apprehended a Myanmar national attempting to smuggle high-value cannabis into Sri Lanka. The 22-year-old labourer arrived on a flight from Bangkok with a significant quantity of the controlled substance.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
A 22-year-old Myanmar national was taken into custody at Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake on Saturday morning following the discovery of narcotics valued at approximately Rs. 46.46 million in his possession.
The suspect arrived at the airport at 1:45 a.m. aboard Thai Airways flight TG 307 from Bangkok, Thailand, when authorities conducted a routine screening of incoming passengers. During the inspection process, officials discovered a consignment of Kush, a high-potency cannabis variant, concealed in the traveller's luggage.
The apprehension marks another significant drug seizure at Sri Lanka's primary international aviation gateway, where customs and law enforcement agencies maintain heightened vigilance against narcotics trafficking. The suspect, who stated his occupation as a labourer, is currently in police custody pending further investigation and charges under Sri Lanka's narcotics legislation.
The incident underscores ongoing concerns about drug smuggling through major transit hubs and the involvement of foreign nationals in attempting to import controlled substances into the island nation.