Danowita police intercept truck with a load of refuse tea

A truck carrying 5,031.2 kilos of substandard tea, commonly referred to as “refuse tea” or tea waste, was intercepted near Danowita on the Colombo-Kandy Road yesterday.The truck, along with its cargo, was taken into custody by a team led by Danowita OIC Inspector Dushyanta Perera. Two individuals, a truck driver and his assistant were also arrested.

The suspects, aged 42 and 55, are residents of Handessa, Eladetta, and Limagahakotuwa – Batipatiya areas, police said.

Among the seized items were 54 packets of tea leaves weighing 41.77 kilos, and 52 packets weighing 47.77 kilos.

The Sri Lanka Tea Board has been notified and it is expected to conduct a thorough examination of the seized tea consignment. The suspects and the seized goods are scheduled to be presented before the Attanagalla Magistrate’s Court.

‘Refuse tea’ refers to waste produced during the black tea manufacturing process. It contains fibre with small quantities of black tea. Sometimes, this waste is processed again for local consumption. However, the sale of refuse tea, either locally or for export, is strictly prohibited. Authorities have previously uncovered illegal operations where refuse tea was mixed with good quality tea and sold to consumers.

Yesterday’s operation was carried out by a team of police personnel including SI Gamalath, PS Wijitha (39507), WPS Pradeepa (5168), PCs Mendis (10561), and Buddhika (15979).

By Susil Ranamuka