Suspect Arrested at BIA with a stock of 42,000 Illegal Cigarettes

COLOMBO (News 1st): A Sri Lankan passenger was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake early this morning, for attempting to smuggle a stock of illegal foreign cigarettes.

The arrest was made by the Airport Unit of the Police Narcotics Bureau.

The suspect had arrived with 210 hidden cartons containing 42,000 cigarettes.

The 21-year-old suspect, a resident of the Apalapitiya, Avissawella, had arrived in the country from Dubai.

The suspect has been released on police bail and is scheduled to be produced before the Negombo Magistrate's Court on January 07, 2026.