The officers of Sri Lanka Customs has thwarted an attempt to smuggle in a stock of 4,200 oximeters valued at over Rs. 2.3 million through the air cargo terminal of the Bandaranayake International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake on Monday.

It was revealed, that a person appearing as a clearing agent had obtained the release of the shipment of oximeters by submitting forged documentation to SriLankan Cargo officers. The officers of the Customs Preventive Division had intercepted the shipment at the exit point and found that it was being removed without submitting the Customs Declaration nor with the approval of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) and payment of applicable taxes to Sri Lanka Customs. 

“During the examination, a stock of 4,200 oximeters packed in 21 boxes have been found. The value of the shipment has been determined as Rs. 2,344,642,” Sri Lanka Customs Deputy Director and Media Spokesman Sudattha Silva said.

The suspect was produced before Negombo Magistrate on 7 September, and it was ordered that he be remanded till 21 September. 

He said the officers of the Sri Lanka Customs Preventive Division at Katunayake were conducting further investigations.  

2,917 more persons test positive for COVID-19

185 COVID-19  fatalities raise  death toll to 10,689

429,515 persons vaccinated against COVID-19 on Tuesday