Foreign currency hidden in mobile phone chargers

Dharma Sri ABEYRATNE

Customs officials at the Katunayake International Airport detected various foreign currencies worth Rs 14,834,111 from an Indian passenger at the departure lounge while he was about to leave for India by UL 121 Airbus.

When the passenger was checked by customs officials on suspicion. They found the foreign currencies concealed in 15 mobile phone chargers in a bag. According to customs sources, various currencies including Canadian dollars, Singapore dollars, Saudi Riyal, Qatar Riyal, Australian dollars, Euro and Japanese Yen had been properly packed and concealed in the 15 mobile phone chargers.

Meanwhile, over 70,000 cigarettes in 350 cigarette cartons have also been detected by customs officials from a Saudi Arabian who arrived by G 9505 flight from Sharjah. According to customs, the contraband was worth over Rs 350,000.

The passenger who possessed the illegal cigarettes was taken into custody when entering the country through the green channel. The suspect was fined Rs 20,000 by the Customs.

He was released later as he paid the fine.