Copper valued at over Rs. 20 m confiscated
Close on the heals of detecting a container load of cattle hide at
the Colombo Port on Tuesday, Customs sleuths bared yet another fraud at
the same venue by confiscating a load of copper worth over Rs.20 million
ready to be smuggled out of the country.
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The load of copper worth over Rs.20 million seized by
Customs authorities. Picture by Sudath Nishantha |
Deputy Director of Customs L. M. Nelson told the Daily News that the
load ready to be smuggled out of the country on the pretext of exporting
copper bars recognised as a value added product was seized by officers
yesterday.
According to Nelson the Government has banned exporting copper
scraps, billets and ingots as there is a scarcity of the product for
domestic usage. The copper which was nabbed was turned into bars by
melting the raw material to identify it as a value added product, Nelson
said.
It is believed that the company which tried to smuggle the load of
copper was owned by a foreigner of Indian origin.
According to sources the raid was carried out based on information
received by a civilian which had approached Authorities on the Customs
hotline.
Customs Authorities said yesterday that the Public could approach
authorities on 011-2471471 if they have any information regarding such
misdeeds. |
