World · Sri Lanka Bureau
Record drug haul at Colombo airport as Indian engineer arrested
Sri Lankan authorities have made their largest-ever pill seizure at Bandaranaike International Airport, confiscating cocaine and ecstasy valued at approximately Rs. 454 million from an Indian national.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
Customs officials intercepted the contraband during routine screening procedures at the airport's arrival terminal, leading to the arrest of an Indian engineer attempting to bring the drugs into the country. The seizure marks a significant milestone in Sri Lanka's ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking through its primary aviation gateway.
The confiscated consignment consisted of multiple pharmaceutical-grade pills containing both cocaine and ecstasy, representing one of the largest quantities of such narcotics ever recovered in a single operation at the airport. Authorities have launched investigations into the source of the drugs and potential distribution networks within the country.
The arrest underscores the continued use of commercial air travel by international drug smugglers targeting Sri Lanka. Customs and excise officials have intensified screening measures at Bandaranaike International Airport in recent months following a series of high-profile narcotics cases.
The suspect remains in custody pending further questioning and legal proceedings. If convicted, the individual faces charges under Sri Lanka's stringent narcotics legislation, which carries substantial penalties including lengthy imprisonment.
Photo: The apron and runway at Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, Sri Lanka, February 2020. ANKAN via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).