An illegal attempt to smuggle in a stock of oximeters valued more than Rs.2.3 million was thwarted by the customs officers, Customs Media Spokesman and Deputy Director Sudattha Silva said.
He said the seizure was made on Monday (6) while attempting to smuggle in the devices through the air cargo terminal of the Bandaranayike International Airport (BIA).
"A person appeared as a clearing agent has obtained the release of the shipment of oximeters by submitting forged documents to the officers of the Srilankan airlines Cargo. The officers attached to the Customs Preventive Division have intercepted the shipment at the exit point after having found the stock was being removed without submitting Customs Declaration and the approval of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) and payment of applicable taxes to Sri Lanka Customs," he said.
During the customs examination, the officers found 4200 oximeters packed in 21 cartons. The value of the shipment was calculated at Rs. 2,344,642, the media spokesman said.
The suspect was produced before the Negombo Magistrate yesterday, and remanded till September 21, he said.
Further investigations are in progress by the officers of the Sri Lanka Customs Preventive Division at Katunayake, Mr. Silva added. (Daily Mirror)