Customs seizes narcotics valued Rs 135M

By Nabiya Vaffoor

Sri Lanka Customs yesterday (7), during an inspection at the Central Mail Exchange in Colombo, detained what is believed to be the largest haul of narcotic pills in the South Asian region so far.

Speaking to Media, Customs Spokesman Sunil Jayaratne said, there were 18,000 ecstasy pills and the stock was worth over Rs 135 million. Along with the pills, 16kg Khat was also detained. The consignment weighing over 9 kg, and containing the 18,000 ecstasy pills, was disclosed to the Media on the same day at Customs Narcotics Control Unit Office.

 “This is believed to be the largest haul of narcotic pills apprehended in the South Asian region so far. We have found that this consignment has been sent from Belgium. Since the receiver’s address in such parcels was fake, we have been unable to apprehend any suspect in this regard. The narcotics were disguised as cat food with some other sweets in the parcel. Furthermore, khat has been found in eight different parcels,” he added. 

He said, smuggling narcotic pills through courier services has increased since Covid-19 travel restrictions were imposed.

Furthermore, Sri Lanka was being used as a delivery spot to exchange Khat as Green Tea Leaves and smuggle it to different regions, he added. 

“It was found the drug traffickers are trying various methods to get schoolchildren and youth addicted to drugs. Had these detained pills got out it would have brought dangerous effects on children and youth,” Sri Lanka Customs Director General Major General (Retd.) Vijitha Ravipriya stated.

Customs said they have detained narcotics worth over Rs 141 million in 2019 and narcotics worth over Rs 251 million in 2020.