Sri Lanka Customs seizes 3.6 million smuggled cigarettes hidden in cold storage panels
Sri Lanka Customs has seized a consignment of approximately 3.6 million cigarettes concealed inside imported cold storage panels in what is believed to be one of the largest cigarette smuggling attempts detected in recent times.
The seizure was made by the Central Intelligence Directorate of Sri Lanka Customs following information received from international partners.
According to Customs, the consignment, declared as “cold storage panels”, had been imported for a company based in Dehiwala. During inspection, officers discovered more than 18,000 cartons of cigarettes hidden inside the panels.
Customs suspects that some Chinese nationals living or working in Sri Lanka may have links to the smuggling operation.
Authorities estimate that if the consignment had entered the local market, it would have caused a tax loss exceeding Rs. 400 million. The seized cigarettes are estimated to have a market value of more than Rs. 450 million.
Investigations are continuing. (Newswire)