Low enforcement authorities busted an illegal duty-free foreign goods racket and gold smuggling attempt today displaying the effectiveness of the surveillance system of Sri Lanka, official sources said.
The Police STF has crackdown on an illegal business of bringing duty-free goods into the country.
The STF revealed that six people connected to this business were arrested at the Katunayake airport premises yesterday (February 15).
Foreign Liquor bottles, computer hardware and a couple of cameras have been found from the suspects’ possession. The suspects have been identified to be residents of Kotahena, Negombo, and Rathmalana.
Investigations have revealed that this group had been involved in importing goods illegally from Singapore into the country without paying any duty on them. They have been handed over to the customs for legal action.
Meanwhile The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended two people with a stock of gold being smuggled in to the country via the sea area route off Madagal.
On a tip off from an informant , the Navy conducted a special naval operation and seized this consignment of gold being smuggled to Sri Lanka, in a dinghy.
The seized consignment contained 14kg and 350g of gold which has been estimated to be valued at Rs. 100 million.
The apprehended suspects have been identified as residents of Madagal aged 27.
The accused along with the stock of gold and the dinghy were handed over to the Customs of Kankesanthurai for further investigation.
(LI)