A 24-year-old Indian national was arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport on Monday by Sri Lanka Customs Narcotics Control Unit officers while attempting to smuggle approximately 2 kilograms and 87 grams of Kush cannabis into the country.
The narcotics, valued at Rs. 2.87 million, were found concealed within the side panels of a cardboard box in the suspect’s luggage. The suspect had reportedly purchased the drugs in Bangkok, Thailand, before travelling to Kuala Lumpur and then flying to Colombo on Malaysia Airlines flight MH-179.
The suspect and seized narcotics have been handed over to the Airport Police Narcotics Bureau at Katunayake for further investigation.
This is the latest in a series of drug seizures at BIA in recent weeks. On April 6, customs officers arrested a Sri Lankan national carrying 11.34 kg of Kush hidden inside chocolate packages, valued at Rs. 113 million. Earlier, a foreign woman was arrested attempting to smuggle cocaine concealed on her body, and officers also intercepted smuggled medicines worth Rs. 10 million from Bangalore.
Authorities have stepped up screening at the airport amid what appears to be an increasing trend of international drug trafficking attempts through Sri Lanka’s main gateway.
