Courier service workers stole Apple phones, 16 devices recovered, six remanded

… cargo boxes opened at places not covered by CCTV at the BIA

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Six employees of an international courier service have been arrested for stealing at least 19 Apple phones. They were arrested on Saturday (8) following investigations conducted by the Negombo police.

DIG (Legal) and Attorney-at-Law Ajith Rohana said that among those taken into custody and remanded till May 10 (today), after having been produced before the Negombo Magistrate, were three supervisors, attached to the courier service, and three other persons of a manpower service, hired by the internationally reputed firm. DIG Rohana said that on the instructions of the supervisors, the labourers, provided by the manpower service, had opened cargo boxes at places not covered by thebCCTV camera network in operation at the BIA.

In spite of a range of counter measures in place at the Bandaranaike International Airport, those having access to the BIA continue to engage in illegal activities even at the risk of arrest, the DIG said. Responding to a query, DIG Rohana told The Island, those labourers assigned to collect cargo from the BIA opened boxes identified by the supervisors. The employees of the courier service exploited those sending Apple phones quoting a much lower price to avoid Customs imposing a levy, the top policeman said, adding that the courier service passed the losses to insurers. Those who didn’t receive phones sent to them could only claim for the amount quoted by the senders, lawyer Rohana said. “Perhaps, some didn’t even bother to complain,” DIG Rohana said.

The police initiated an inquiry recently after receiving a complaint regarding a missing Apple phone sent from Australia. Following investigations, the Negombo Division recovered 16 Apple phones from phone shops in Kandy, Divulapitiya and Minuwangoda.

DIG Rohana said that the suspects were residents of Minuwangoda, Ja-ela, Katupotha, Kottawa and Mattakkuliya.

The DIG emphasized that the actual number of phones stolen by this gang could be much more though the investigators identified 19 specific cases.

Responding to another query, DIG Rohana said that those companies having access to the BIA should be vigilant about workers regardless of their duties and responsibilities.  

The police refrained from naming the courier service involved though The Island learns the suspects produced before the Negombo Magistrate were employees of leading international courier DHL and workers of a manpower agency hired by the same firm. The suspects are to be re-produced in court tomorrow (10)

DIG Rohana said that even stolen top of the line Apple phones fetched as much as Rs 200,000 in the local market. The police spokesperson said that those who hadn’t received Apple phones sent from abroad should get in touch with police on 071-4024042. The top police official said that the gang stole only Apple phones though a range of other hand phones were received by the courier service.

DIG Rohana said that regardless of immense difficulties caused by raging Covid-19 pandemic, the police were conducting investigations into what he called regular complaints. According to him, the robberies would have continued if not for a person who didn’t receive an Apple phone sent from Australia complained to law enforcement authorities. The Negombo police have taken over the investigation in the absence of any progress by the Katunayake police.

An investigator said that those who bought stolen Apple phones didn’t suspect anything as they received relevant documents along with the devices. The official said so when The Island asked why those who bought stolen goods hadn’t been arrested. “We are conducting further investigations into this racket,” the official said.