Five smugglers caught with Rs 160 mn worth of gold at BIA departure lounge

by Prabath Withana

Customs officials at the BIA nabbed five persons while they were attempting to smuggle out of the country a stock of gold jewellery worth more than Rs 160 million on Saturday.Customs Media Spokesman Sudatta Silva said the suspects were to fly to Mumbai by SriLankan Airlines UL-141 flight yesterday morning when the Customs Narcotic officers discovered the gold stash carefully hidden in their luggage.

Customs investigations have revealed that the smuggling operation had been carried out with the involvement of an Indian national also found waiting in the airport departure terminal. The India was also taken into custody by the Customs officers for questioning.

The Customs Spokesman said the officers had been able to seize 10.5 kilos of gold pieces, gold in the form of gel and gold ornaments from the suspects’ possession.

The Customs officers said the street value of the gold stock would be more than Rs.160 million.Further investigations are being conducted by the Customs narcotics control unit of the BIA.