Customs Foil Colombo Businessman’s Cunning Plan: Rs. 30 M in Phones Seized

February 14, 2025 at 5:27 PM

A 45-year-old businessman has been taken into custody by Customs officers at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for attempting to illegally bring in a consignment of mobile phones and tablet computers valued at Rs. 30 million.

The suspect, a frequent traveler from Kotahena, Colombo 13, had arrived in Sri Lanka on February 1 at 4:30 PM aboard Qatar Airways flight QR-654. However, his baggage was not on the same flight.

Later, his luggage was transported to BIA on a separate flight, and he came to claim it on February 13.

Upon inspection, Customs officers found 180 high-end mobile phones and five tablet computers concealed inside his baggage.

The businessman has been detained at Katunayake Airport as Customs officials continue further investigations. (NewsWire)