By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana   

An attempt to smuggle in a stock of foreign cigarettes worth over Rs.4.5 million by a couple returning from Dubai was thwarted by Sri Lanka Customs officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday morning.   

The Customs officials stationed at the BIA Arrival Terminal on suspicion checked the baggages of a middle-aged couple to find illegal cigarettes in them, the Customs Spokesperson said.   
The suspects had arrived in the country on Gulf Airline flight GF 144 from Dubai. The male suspect was reportedly a resident of Kalmunai, whilst the female was from Ganemulla.   
The officials found 270 cartons containing 45,400 sticks of cigarettes of the brands of Manchester, Mond and Gold Leaf. The fags were valued at Rs.4,540, 000.   
The Customs Inquiry was conducted by Senior Director of Customs T. M. S. Tennekoon who ordered a fine of Rs.100,000 on the male suspect and released him, whilst the female suspect was strictly warned. The contraband was ordered to be forfeited.