PNB nabs cosmetics trader with Rs.3Mn worth fags at BIA

 By Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana   

A Sri Lankan passenger who tried to smuggle in foreign cigarettes worth over Rs.3 million under the pretense of carrying cosmetics from Doha, Qatar was nabbed by the Police at the Bandaranaike International Airport 
(BIA) yesterday.   

The Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) officials stationed at the BIA Arrival Terminal on suspicion held a passenger who had arrived in the country on Qatar Airways flight QR 662 early yesterday morning.   

The authorities searched the passenger’s baggage to find 100 cartons of both ‘Platinum Cool’ and ‘Platinum Double Mix’, that contained 20,000 sticks, which the sale and use is entirely prohibited in Sri Lanka.   

Preliminary inquiries revealed that the passenger, who is a resident of Panadura, had travelled constantly to import cosmetics into the country.   

The 30-year-old suspect had been released on police bail and had been ordered to appear before the Negombo Magistrate Courts on September 3rd. The PNB is conducting investigations and took the illicit consignment into custody.