Pakistani couple with heroin in their stomachs arrested at BIA

The Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake has arrested a Pakistani couple trying to smuggle heroin capsules in their stomachs.

The 67-year-old woman and 44-year-old man had arrived in the country yesterday (26) afternoon from Lahore via Dubai on an Emirates flight.

They had reportedly flown from Lahore, Pakistan to Dubai and then taken an Emirates flight to Colombo in an attempt to avoid the heavy security checks at the Colombo airport on passengers and goods arriving from Pakistan.

Police Spokesperson Superintendent of Police Ruwan Gunasekara said the PNB officers, when inspecting the couple at the arrival lounge, had learned that they had swallowed heroin capsules.

The man and the woman were arrested and admitted to the Negombo Base hospital where necessary actions were taken to recover the heroin capsules.

So far 35 heroin capsules weighing 350 grams have been recovered from the woman. Although the man has admitted to swallowing the heroin capsules, nothing has been recovered yet.

The Police say the recovered heroin is estimated to be worth Rs. 4.2 million.

It has been revealed that the woman had come to Sri Lanka on six previous occasions but the male had visited for the first time. The suspects are to be produced before the Negombo Magistrate and the PNB is seeking to obtain a Court order to detain the suspects for seven days to interrogate them

The Police Narcotics Bureau is conducting further investigations. (Colombopage)