6 April 2024 12:00 am Views - 222
By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana
Legal proceedings of gold smuggling attempts thwarted by Sri Lanka Customs worth over Rs.4.5 billion are being dragged on in courts for several months now, owing to a new regulation introduced by the Customs to implement a single-value fine system, the Daily Mirror learns.
A circular issued by the Customs Chief since May last year had advised the departmental officials to impose a fine up to the value of the seized amount of gold in each case, making it practically an impossible fine to pay.
A senior Customs official told the Daily Mirror that previously, fines for gold smuggling offenses were imposed within a range determined by the gravity of the offense and the involvement of the passenger or carrier.
Parliamentarian Ali Sabri Raheem who was apprehended with gold worth Rs.70 million at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) was ordered to pay a fine of Rs.7 million, which was about 10 per cent of the seized gold.
However, a French national who was apprehended with Rs.80 million worth gold was ordered a fine of Rs.70 million, which was almost 100 per cent of the value of the contraband.
According to the new circular, the legal proceedings of over 30 gold smuggling cases undertaken by the Customs since last year are being dragged in the courts, as the culprits have been unable to pay the fines imposed almost up to 100 per cent of the value of the contraband seized in each case.
The delays in the legal proceedings have also resulted in the late closure of these cases and also the payments of reward money to the Customs officials and informants who were responsible for such detections.
Attempts made to contact the Customs Director General for his comment in this regard were not successful.