CUSTOMS SEIZE RS.3.9MN WORTH GOLD WITH INDIAN PASSENGER

An Indian national who had tried to smuggle in a set of silver plated gold jewellery worth over Rs.3.9 million was apprehended by the Customs officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport yesterday evening.

Customs officials stationed at the Arrival Terminal of the BIA on suspicion searched an Indian passenger who had arrived in the country around 4.30pm on Emirates flight EK 654 and found the jewellery being concealed in the baggages.

Acting Customs Spokesman

Acting Customs Spokesman Deputy Director Vipula Minuwanpitiya said the suspect who was from Mumbai had come to the country from Dubai

Deputy Director Vipula Minuwanpitiya said the suspect who was from Mumbai had come to the country from Dubai.

The officials found two bangles and a chain made out of solid gold but had been plated with silver weighing over 650 grams, merely to misguide the authorities. The gold had been valued at Rs.3, 911, 895.

The detection was made by Assistant Superintendents of Customs W. N. D. C. Welarathne and H. A. P. N. Gunawardena.

Further investigations are being carried out by Deputy Directors B. P. C. Kularatne, D.M.G. Nimalthilake with Superintendents S. Ranasinghe, S. Mihindukulasooriya, I S Ahmed, M. M. M. Rizvi and W.A.N. Fonseka under the directions of Additional Director General Stanley Senarathne and Director (BIA) M.A. Karunarathne.

The passenger was detained for the inquiries. The seized jewellery would be forfeited.