STF busts massive cigarette smuggling operation

Seizes Rs.1.3Bn worth cigarettes

• A 65-year-old suspect arrested
• Container intercepted near the Kelanitissa Power Station

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

The Police Special Task Force (STF) seized a 40-foot  container in the Grandpass area, with over 10 million sticks of  cigarettes with a street value of Rs. 1,300 million. Police said the stock of cigarettes had been illegally imported into Sri Lanka without paying excise duty.  

Acting on a tip-off regarding the transport of narcotics,  the STF intercepted the container near the Kelanitissa Power Station in  Grandpass.   

Upon searching the container, the STF discovered 10,420,000  sticks of cigarettes. A 65-year-old suspect, a resident of Makola, was  arrested in connection with the illegal import.   

Investigations revealed that the container, loaded with  cigarettes, was en route to the Orugodawatta container yard at the time.  The arrested suspect, along with the seized container, was handed over to the Grandpass Police for further investigations.