A 23-year-old Malaysian national has been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) after Sri Lanka Customs officers intercepted an attempt to smuggle more than 1.8 kilograms of cocaine into the country.
The Sri Lanka Customs Narcotics Control Unit (NCU) said the suspect arrived from Malaysia via Dubai on Emirates flight EK650 on Saturday (18).
During a baggage inspection carried out at around 9.30 a.m., Customs officers discovered 1,816 grams of cocaine concealed inside 92 capsules hidden within food and sweets containers in the passenger’s hand luggage.
The seized cocaine has an estimated street value of approximately Rs. 90.8 million.
Following preliminary investigations by the Customs Narcotics Control Unit, the suspect, along with the seized narcotics and other case materials, was handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) for further investigations and legal action.
Sri Lanka Customs said the detection highlights its continued efforts to combat transnational organised crime and prevent the smuggling of dangerous narcotics through the country’s international gateways. (Newswire)