Three customs officers transferred over the latest drug bust

A separate internal 

investigation ordered by Customs DG 

Three customs officers have been transferred from their respective departments as a preliminary step of conducting an internal investigation on cocaine found in A Sathosa sugar container earlier this week. 

The transfers were done following a directive given by the Director General of Customs to conduct an internal inquiry into the incident, Customs Spokesperson Sunil Jayaratne told Daily FT. 

The three officers who were responsible for the clearance of the container with the cocaine from the container yard have been transferred from the Central Cargo Examination Directorate to the Administration Department, said Jayaratne. 

“We will soon start the internal investigation on the matter. The transfer was done to ensure there are no conflicts in carrying out the investigation,” he said. 

The cocaine found, at an estimated value of Rs. 3.2 billion, is believed to be meant for the Portuguese market, said Jayaratne. The container carrying sugar came to the country from Brazil via Portugal.  

“The Anti-Narcotics Bureau of the Police and Customs officials are conducting a joint investigation into the matter. We believe the drugs were meant for the Portuguese market not Sri Lankan. There is no market in the country for such a large quantity of Cocaine,” he said.