News
Customs seize Rs. 31.5 Mn worth of smuggled cigarettes at Colombo Port
By Prabhath Withana
The Customs Department’s Revenue Task Force (RTF) uncovered a major smuggling operation, seizing 420,000 illegally imported cigarettes during a special inspection at a warehouse in the Colombo Port premises.
The contraband was hidden in a shipment of 20 barrels of calcium hydroxide, which had been imported from the United Arab Emirates by a company based in Kalutara. Customs Media Spokesperson and Additional Director General Seevali Arukgoda confirmed the seizure, stating that the total estimated value of the smuggled cigarettes is Rs. 31.5 million.
The operation was conducted as part of ongoing efforts to prevent illicit imports and protect government revenue.
“This is another example of the innovative methods smugglers use to evade detection, but Customs officials remain vigilant,” Arukgoda said.