Narco Seeds Enter Sri Lanka Through Courier Parcels

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka Customs says it has launched special monitoring efforts following the detection of a new trend involving drug traffickers allegedly importing hashish marijuana seeds through courier parcels, with attempts to cultivate the plants locally.

Senior Director of Customs and Media Spokesman Chandana Punchihewa said authorities have observed a significant change in smuggling methods in recent months, with traffickers moving away from previously identified routes and adopting new channels to bring narcotics into the country.

According to Customs, investigations over the past several months primarily detected narcotics being smuggled into Sri Lanka by passengers arriving from or transiting through Thailand. However, this month alone, authorities made four separate narcotics detections through entirely different routes.

Punchihewa noted that one seizure involved drugs originating from Madagascar, while two others were linked to the United Kingdom and another to Italy. He said these routes differ considerably from the patterns previously encountered by Customs, suggesting that traffickers may be deliberately altering transportation pathways to evade detection.

Authorities have seized nearly four kilograms of narcotics in connection with the recent cases.

Customs officials say a particularly concerning development is the discovery of hashish marijuana seeds being imported through courier parcels. Given that such plants can grow in Sri Lanka's climate, investigators suspect the seeds may have been intended for local cultivation rather than personal possession or consumption.

Punchihewa said the interceptions point to what appears to be an emerging attempt to establish cultivation operations within the country, warning that drug traffickers are increasingly turning to new and sophisticated methods to expand their activities.

He added that Customs has placed special emphasis on identifying and disrupting these evolving trafficking techniques, noting that authorities remain vigilant against emerging threats linked to the illegal drug trade.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Customs is preparing to further strengthen detection capabilities at ports of entry. Punchihewa revealed that steps are underway to introduce modern body-scanning technology for passenger screening.

At present, Customs primarily relies on scanners used for baggage inspections. However, plans are now being implemented to install advanced scanners capable of conducting body examinations, significantly enhancing the ability of officers to detect concealed narcotics and other prohibited items.