In a significant operation, officials from the Narcotics Control Unit of Sri Lanka Customs successfully intercepted and seized a stash of gold jewelry and gold in gel form, estimated to be worth approximately Rs. 58 million. The illicit smuggling attempt was thwarted at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), where a female employee of a private cleaning company was apprehended.
The arrested woman, a 55-year-old resident of Miridiyalanda in Veyangoda, was taken into custody as she attempted to smuggle the contraband out of the airport premises. According to Sri Lanka Customs, the confiscated items include gold jewelry weighing 1.4kg and 1.35kg of gold in gel form, containing around 95% pure gold.
The suspect confessed to Sri Lanka Customs officials, revealing that an unidentified woman had handed her the parcel containing the smuggled gold inside a lavatory within the duty-free mall area at BIA. The implicated woman further stated that the unidentified person promised to compensate her with Rs. 60,000 after she delivered the parcel to an individual outside the airport premises.
This latest interception underscores the vigilance of Sri Lanka Customs in curbing illegal activities at the airport. Authorities have initiated further investigations into the incident, seeking to unveil any potential connections or networks involved in the attempted gold smuggling.
