Sri Lankan National Arrested at BIA for Attempting to Smuggle Rs. 25 Million Worth of Kush Cannabis

A 29-year-old Sri Lankan national from Grandpass, Colombo, was arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on October 28, 2025, for attempting to smuggle 2,523 grams of Kush cannabis into the country. The suspect had arrived on SriLankan Airlines flight UL 403 from Bangkok, Thailand.

The narcotics were cleverly concealed in the false bottoms of the suspect’s luggage and backpack, successfully evading standard detection methods. Sri Lanka Customs estimates the street value of the seized Kush cannabis at approximately Rs. 25.23 million.

Officers from the Narcotics Control Unit have initiated further investigations. The suspect and the narcotics will be handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) for continuation of legal proceedings.

This successful interception underscores the vigilance and commitment of Sri Lanka Customs in tackling cross-border drug trafficking and ensuring national security.