Man arrested with Rs 4.5 mn worth foreign cigarettes

Colombo, December 12 (Daily Mirror)- A 57-year-old man was arrested early this morning, while attempting to smuggle in foreign manufactured cigarettes worth approximately Rs. 4.5 million at the Bandaranaike International Airport Arrival Terminal.

The suspect is a resident of Gampola who had been working as a security guard in Dubai, and was arrested by officers from the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB).

He had arrived  along with a foreign passenger at the airport aboard FlyDubai flight FZ-549 from Dubai at 12:30 AM on December 12 .

Based on information received, the PNB intercepted the suspect as he was leaving the airport.

During a search, officers discovered 135 cartons of a brand of cigarettes, containing 27,000 sticks, hidden in two pieces of luggage.

The suspect faces charges of illegal importation, smuggling and possession of contraband. Authorities are continuing their investigations, and further details will be revealed during court proceedings.

The suspect, along with a foreign passenger, was arrested and later released on police bail. Both the suspect and the seized cigarettes are to be produced before the  December 18.