Customs foil attempt to smuggle gemstones

by Jayampathy Jayasinghe

A Sri Lankan who attempted to smuggle in large quantities of precious gems at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) was fined Rs. 100,000 on Friday, a Customs spokesman told the "Sunday Observer".

The Sri Lankan who arrived at the BIA from Dubai that afternoon had attempted to walk through the Green Channel without declaring the gemstones in his possession. Customs officers who suspected the man's behaviour searched him and found several precious stones in his trouser pocket and in his baggage.

However, after an inquiry, by the Customs, a fine of Rs. 100,000 was imposed on him for failing to declare the gemstones. The man was released with the gemstones after he paid the fine of Rs. 100,000 to Customs.