Over 30,000 kgs of refuse tea seized

Sandasen Marasinghe

A massive consignment of refuse tea was seized by the Police Special Task Force in its continuous efforts to prevent the export of refuse tea that is mostly responsible for the drop in Sri Lankan tea’s rankings as the world’s best tea. The STF seized the refuse tea weighing 30,000 kgs at the CTB Junction, Ekala in Jaela while it was in the process of being packed on Monday evening.

The STF arrested two persons in connection with the racket. The STF also seized a lorry, a digital scale, 1,300 empty boxes and 1,300 polythene bags that were used to pack refuse tea. According to sources, errant traders export refuse tea under the brand name of Sri Lankan tea.

A large number of such tea containers exported by these traders have been rejected by several countries which has a negative effect on the Sri Lankan tea market. The sources revealed that these unscrupulous traders used a deserted warehouse or any other place with the least least facilities to mix and pack such tea.

The STF raided the centre on information received. The suspects and the productions were handed over to the Ja-ela Police for further investigation.