Customs officials at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) arrested a Sri Lankan passenger in the early hours of Saturday while attempting to smuggle foreign-manufactured cigarettes and e-cigarettes valued at Rs. 5.53 million into the country.
The seizure is the latest in an intensifying crackdown at the country’s main international airport, where customs authorities have made a series of high-value arrests throughout April.
Earlier this month, six Chinese nationals were arrested smuggling cigarettes worth Rs. 11 million, while a separate operation seized 84 mobile phones linked to cybercrime. Other recent BIA arrests have involved cannabis concealed in chocolates, cocaine hidden on a foreign passenger, and smuggled medicines worth Rs. 10 million.
The pattern of escalating seizures suggests customs enforcement has been significantly strengthened at BIA, with authorities targeting both narcotics and commercial contraband.
E-cigarettes remain unregulated in Sri Lanka, and their importation without proper authorisation falls under customs violations. The detained passenger has been handed over for further investigation.
