One suspect has been arrested in connection to the largest haul of illegally imported beedi leaves seized by the Sri Lanka Customs today.
The Port Control Unit of the Sri Lanka Customs had seized 24,000 kg of beedi leaves valued at Rs. 122 million when investigating two containers in the Thotalanga Yard.
The containers had been imported from Chennai, India under the guise of yarn and had arrived in Sri Lanka via vessel “Cape Nemo” on 14 March.
Further investigations of the Port Control Unit of the Sri Lanka Customs have revealed that the consignment had been imported by a company registered under the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka (BOI) situated in the Katunayake Free Trade Zone.
The company had reportedly attempted to clear the consignment without payment of duties as BOI enterprises are permitted to import goods for exports without payment of any duties.
The Sri Lanka Customs said the timely detection of the containers had saved the Government more than Rs 100 million in revenue. (Newswire)