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Beedi worth millions inside sarees

by Panduka Senanayake

Customs believe they have stumbled on a new trend in smuggling with the recent detection of women involved in the smuggling of 'Beedi' worth millions of rupees inside sarees.

The most recent detection last Tuesday led to the recovery of over 1,000 kilos of 'Beedi' valued over Rs. 1.5 million inside bundles of sarees which were being brought into the country by a trio including two women.

The 'Beedi' was wrapped in 51 packages which came as passenger baggage on a flight from Chennai.

The detection was made by officers from the Customs Narcotics Control Unit.

"This is the second such detection within about a month," said a senior Customs Officer adding that around 2,000 kilos of 'Beedi' valued at about Rs.2.5 million were detected by them a few weeks ago. In that instance too a similar modus operandi of smuggling the 'Beedi' inside Sarees had been adopted by three women.

Imported 'Beedi' has a high duty on them since they affect the local industry. The smugglers stand to make a huge profit if they succeed in getting their stocks into the market said the Officer. He said the recent detections may be a forerunner to a new trend amongst smugglers and would need careful watching.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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