Govt. confiscates gold, phones smuggled in by MP Ali Sabri

Acting Minister of Finance Dr. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya yesterday confirmed that the state has taken steps to confiscate the undeclared items including gold smuggled into the country by Puttalam district All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) MP Ali Sabri Raheem. 

Accordingly, 3.397 kilograms of gold jewellery and biscuits worth Rs. 74 million and 91 smartphones worth Rs. 4.2 million found in possession of the MP on his arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) has now been seized by the state. 

Raheem was also fined Rs. 7.5 million by the Sri Lanka Customs before being released. 

The MP was arrested by officers of Sri Lanka Customs on Tuesday at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while attempting to enter the country with an undeclared haul of gold and other items.  Sri Lanka Customs officials said the arrest of the MP who had arrived on FlyDubai flight FZ 547 was made on a tip-off received. The MP was attempting to exit BIA via the VIP terminal when the arrest was made. 

According to law enforcement officials, the MP and another accompanying him were detained and transported to Colombo for further questioning.