Customs seize Rs.11.5m worth Gems with returning French national

23 July 2017 08:10 pm - 6 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A French national who tried to smuggle in several precious stones worth at Rs.11.5 million on his return trip to Sri Lanka from Dubai was apprehended by the Customs officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning.

The 65-year-old foreigner had been intercepted when he had attempted to pass the Customs checking through the ‘Green Channel’ and found 61 cartons of Dubai made Gold Leaf cigarettes and nine bottles of whiskey in his possession.

The Customs officials who found the illicit items had further searched him to find three Yellow Sapphires in his trouser pocket and one Blue Sapphire concealed in one of his shoes.

Customs Spokesman DDC Sunil Jayaratne told the Daily Mirror the French national who was living in Sri Lanka on a resident visa had left the country for Dubai on Thursday, July 20 and had returned yesterday morning around 9.40 on Emirates flight EK 2572. (Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana, Deepa Adikari and T.K.G. Kapila)

Picture courtesy : Customs

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Comments - 6

Bala Sunday, 23 July 2017 08:47 PM

This why we have to be careful regarding giving resident visas to every Tom Dick and Harry who just clear the minimum visa requirements. More stringent looking into the past of these individuals must be done.

Philip Monday, 24 July 2017 08:52 AM

To get a Sri Lankan resident visa a police clearance certificate is required. Obviously this fellow started his alleged criminal activities after he was granted resident status.

Mandy Sunday, 23 July 2017 08:50 PM

How many needed to apprehend just one smuggler. No wonder many get away as we do not have enough customs officers to check the smugglers.!! See - here we needed 8 for one detenction.

Kapila Monday, 24 July 2017 10:28 AM

When a 50% commission is involved many are eager to participate!

Arnold Monday, 24 July 2017 10:51 AM

WE SHOULD HAVE FREE MOVEMENT OF GOODS AND CASH IF FOR US TO DEVELOP. If the carried quantity exceeds the allowable amount just charge the relevant duty and let the guy go. THIS STUPID HIGHHANDEDNESS WILL KEEP US A POOR COUNTRY FOR ETERNITY.

ceylon Monday, 24 July 2017 10:53 AM

no pay tax.he fined and case settled.no one talk here swadeshi multy billion roberies.no punishment.not recovered any billions. via DM Android App

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Customs seize Rs.11.5m worth Gems with returning French national

Comments - 6

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