A foreign couple attempting to smuggle gems worth millions of rupees out of the country was arrested by the AASL security manning the Departure Terminal of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday morning.   

A senior female security officer attached to the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited at the entrance of the BIA Departure Terminal on suspicion searched the baggage of the foreign couple to detect gems in it.   

The baggage of the couple identified to be of Japanese nationals had been sent through the X-ray scanners to find a small pouch containing a number of small precious stones of various types.   

A senior official attached to the AASL told the Daily Mirror that upon inquiry the foreigners had failed to declare or explain about the precious stones that they had secretly tried to carry along with them.   

After the preliminary inquiries were held, the couple along with the gems had been handed over to the Sri Lanka Customs at the BIA for further investigations.   

The AASL official said although the gems would be valued over several million rupees, the exact quantity and the valuation would be decided by the Customs officials.   

When contacted, Customs Spokesperson Additional Director General Seevali Arukgoda told the Daily Mirror that they have commenced conducting inquiries.