Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) officers at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) seized Rs. 3 million worth of smuggled foreign cigarettes today (7).
The suspect, a 37-year-old former Air Force airman from Anuradhapura, was arrested upon his return from Dubai with 100 cartons (20,000 cigarettes) concealed in his luggage.
He reportedly traveled to Dubai on a tourist visa seeking employment but was unsuccessful.
Released on police bail, he will appear before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court (MC) on 18 December to face smuggling and contraband possession charges.