Officers of the Crimes Investigation Bureau in the Puttalam Division have arrested a 34-year-old man over the illegal possession of 994 kg and 150 g of turmeric smuggled into the country without payment of customs duty.
NewsFirst reported that the suspect, a resident of Norochcholai, was apprehended in Palavi, Puttalam following a raid by CIB officers.
The seizure is the second large-scale turmeric interdiction reported in 48 hours. On April 29, Customs’ Revenue Task Force seized 6.5 tonnes of smuggled turmeric and Indian gypsum in a separate operation, underscoring the persistence of cross-border smuggling networks even after Sri Lanka liberalised turmeric imports in 2024.
Turmeric remains a high-margin smuggled commodity because of historical price gaps with India and continued anti-evasion enforcement on undeclared shipments. Earlier this month the Navy intercepted a 1,600 kg consignment of smuggled tendu off Chilaw, while the Police Narcotics Bureau continues to track parallel land-route smuggling networks.
Police have not disclosed the source of the consignment or whether further arrests are expected. The suspect is to be produced before the Puttalam Magistrate’s Court.
