Inquiry into biggest cigarette racket under way

by L. S. A. Wedaarachchi

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The Customs Preventive Division is conducting an inquiry into the smuggling of cigarettes from Dubai valued at Rs. 16.4 million. According to customs sources this was the biggest detection this year.

Statements were recorded from the travellers whose names appeared on the packages and the air cargo company which handled the consignment, said Assistant Director, Customs Preventive Division, K. A. Dharmasena.

He said that those whose names were mentioned on the packages denied any knowledge of these items.

He said that the Air Cargo companies should clearly verify the ownership of the items which they handle. Investigations are under way to arrest the culprits. The passenger bags with the ‘Gold seal Brand filter cigarettes” were for residents of Kuliyapitiya, Negombo, Ratmalana and the Moratuwa areas.