Sri Lanka Customs today destroyed a large stock of illegally imported drugs worth of Rs.17million at the Bandaranaike International Airport.
The drugs had been detected by the Customs BIA branch during the period of April 01 to May 07. They were smuggled in by various passengers mainly from Pakistan and India, Customs Spokesman Leslie Gamini said.
The contraband consisted of Clonazepam tablets (given for mental patients) which had been used by schoolchildren as a narcotic and drugs like Depo – Provera and Misoprostol used in illegal abortion centers.
Also important drugs like Thalidomide banned by the Cosmetics, Devices and Drugs Authority (CDDA) for private importation and Immunoglobulin, a drug used in operation theaters and Intensive Care Units, which a single vial is worth around Rs.150, 000 were also among the destroyed lot.
The drugs were destroyed in the presence of Customs Director General Jagath P Wijeweera and many other officials. K.K.