24 December 2024 01:50 pm Views - 1032
By T.K.G. Kapila
A Russian national was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while attempting to smuggle a consignment of the cannabis variety Kush, valued at Rs. 10 million, concealed in his baggage.
The 34-year-old foreign national, identified as an IT technician, was apprehended by officers of the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) at the airport.
Investigations revealed that the suspect was involved in the cultivation, processing and distribution of Kush across various countries.
The suspect arrived at the airport at 12:50 p.m. yesterday on SriLankan Airlines flight UL-403 from Bangkok.
A total of 1 kilogram and 50 grams of Kush was discovered, packed inside a pillow and concealed with sponge material.
The Russian national was produced before the Negombo Magistrate's Court and was ordered to be detained for questioning. Both the suspect and the consignment were handed over to the PNB headquarters for further investigations.