Copper scrap scam at Yard

Sarath MALALASEKERA

The Customs is seeking Criminal Investigations Department (CID) assistance to trace the missing Rs 70 million valued copper scraps packed in four containers at the Customs D. Branch yard at Orugodawatta. The four containers were earlier forfeited by Customs Branch and put for sale.

Due to a fresh claim made on the cargo, the Court of Appeal ordered the Director General to stop the sale and inquire into the claim.

Customs Director General Sarath Jayatilleke and Attorney General President’s Counsel Mohan Peiris had submitted an affidavit stating that a foreign businessman had submitted false documents including forged Bills of Lading to claim the cargo. While the claim was being heard at the Customs inquiry, the foreign businessman had fled the country closing the business.

However his claim was being continued by a former BOI employee as his representative. On December 15, 2009 when the Customs opened the containers on the request of the ship’s agent, they found the containers empty. The containers were in the custody of the Customs Sales branch and kept in a much fortified Customs Sub Preventive office yard at Orugodawatta.

The warehouse has now been sealed by the Director General of Customs to search for the cargo inside abandoned containers in the same yard, a Customs officer said.

According to the Officer, the Director General of Customs stopped a delivery of copper scraps by the Customs Sales branch allegedly sold for a very low price of 40 million. Customs circles point out that a mafia is suspected to be involved in stealing government cargo from Customs warehouse.