CID, Customs deploy officials in civvies to detect contraband

• Arrests passenger smuggling gold at BIA 

 The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) yesterday arrested an inbound Sri Lankan passenger from New Delhi for allegedly smuggling 20kg of gold worth Rs.130 million.

The passenger had exited from Customs clearance at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) with 20kg of gold stitched to his clothing.

The arrest follows the discussion held by Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera with top CID and Customs officials to map out ways and means to detect contraband being brought to the country resulting in loss of revenue to the State.

As a result of this discussion, from last week, CID and Customs officials have been deployed wearing civilian clothes at all entry ports to detect contraband goods. This detection of gold after the particular passenger came out of the BIA Customs clearance is the result of making such arrangements.