Customs officers at the departure terminal of the Katunayake Airport have arrested a Chinese national attempting to illegally export 48.6 kilograms of Kothala Himbutu (Salacia reticulata) concealed in his luggage.

The detection was made yesterday (02), during routine operations at the airport. 

The passenger, booked on China Eastern Airlines flight MU 714 bound for Kunming, had hidden the plant stock inside packages labelled as tea.

Kothala Himbutu is classified as a specially protected plant under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, and its export is prohibited. Customs officials confirmed that the attempt also violated provisions of the Customs Ordinance.

The Biodiversity, Cultural and National Heritage Protection Division of Sri Lanka Customs joined airport officers in conducting further investigations.

The seized stock of Kothala Himbutu, valued at approximately Rs. 145,000, was confiscated, and the passenger was fined Rs. 200,000. (Newswire)

The post Chinese man arrested at BIA with 48.6 kilos of Kothala Himbutu appeared first on Newswire.

A Chinese national who attempted to illegally take a stock of Kothala Himbutu (Salacia reticulata) to China was arrested early today (31) at the departure terminal of the Katunayake Airport by a group of customs officers.

According to reports, the Chinese national had packed 21 kilograms of Kothala Himbutu inside several packages branded with Sri Lanka’s world‑renowned tea label.

The suspect, aged 46, is a Chinese national who had arrived in Sri Lanka for travel.

He had come to Katunayake Airport early today at 1.40 am to board China Eastern Airlines flight MU‑714 bound for Kunming, China.

Under the provisions of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, Kothala Himbutu is a protected plant species that cannot be taken out of Sri Lanka.

Customs officers at Katunayake Airport, together with officials of the Customs Biodiversity, Cultural and National Heritage Protection Unit, are conducting further investigations into the matter. (Newswire)

The post Chinese man arrested at BIA with 21 kilos of Kothala Himbutu appeared first on Newswire.