Customs seize Rs.10 m worth sandalwood oil

by Kurulu Kariyakarawana

An attempt to smuggle a stock of sandalwood oil worth of Rs.10 million to France was thwarted by the Customs Air Cargo Export Terminal on Friday night.

Officials at the Air Cargo Export Terminal at the Bandaranaike International Airport received three aluminium cylinders containing 25kilograms of sandalwood oil declared as cinnamon oil.

The cylinders delivered through a courier service were searched by the customs officials on suspicion to find sandalwood oil in them. The contraband was to be sent to Paris by Emirates flight EK 349.

Exporting sandalwood is prohibited under the provisions of Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance and Forest Ordinance, Customs Spokesman

Director Leslie Gamini said.

Investigations are conducted by Customs Superintendent M. Gunarathne, Deputy Superintendent S. R. Arawpola and Assistant Superintendents P. G. G. M. K. Herath and J. M. S. P. Jayasinghe.