May 20 (Citizen News) - Three Chinese nationals were arrested by Sri Lanka Customs officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake while allegedly attempting to smuggle a stock of mobile phones and batteries into the country, Customs said.
The suspects two 35-year-old men and a 34-year-old woman had arrived from Shanghai, China on China Eastern flight MU 6017 at around 6.43 p.m. yesterday (19).
According to Customs officials, the group attempted to leave the airport through the Green Channel designated for passengers with “nothing to declare.” During inspections, officers became suspicious of a tulip-patterned carrier bag mixed among several duty-free shopping bags containing chocolates and toffees.
Upon inspection, Customs officers discovered mobile phones concealed beneath the confectionery items. Further checks revealed another stock of mobile phones hidden around the waist area of one of the male suspects.
Officials also recovered additional mobile phones and batteries concealed inside the socks of the female suspect and inside the luggage of the other male passenger.
Sri Lanka Customs stated that a total of 87 mobile phones and 140 batteries were seized during the operation. The items are suspected to have been intended for use in cyber-related financial crimes.
The estimated value of the seized items is approximately Rs. 5.14 million.
The suspects, who had reportedly stated their occupation as businesspersons, were arrested by Sri Lanka Customs officers attached to the BIA arrival terminal.
Customs officials said the goods were ordered to be forfeited following the detection.
