Customs foil attempt to smuggle abortion drugs

by Kurulu Kariyakarawana

An attempt to smuggle a stock of illegal drugs used for abortions was thwarted by the Customs Revenue Task Force (CRTF) on Friday night. The contraband hidden in a consignment of potatoes had been imported from Pakistan in a container and was detected at the Colombo Harbour.

The Customs RTF officials on suspicion searched the container and found the illegal drugs which were valued at Rs. 30 million. Customs spokesman and Deputy Director Leslie Gamini told the Sunday Observer that the consignee of the contraband is yet to be ascertained. The drugs which are prohibited in Sri Lanka were believed to be distributed at private medical centres that engaged in illegal abortions.

The RTF had sealed off the container for further investigations. It is conducting inquiries under the instructions of Customs Director Mali Piyasena.