NewsSri Lanka has intensified its drive against contraband including gold smuggling by deploying CID detectives and Customs Officers in plain clothes at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), the Finance Ministry announced. Customs checks have been revived after the rapid increase in smuggling gold into the country to avoid 15 per cent new tax on gold imports, a senior Treasury official said on Monday. In a latest crack down on gold smugglers CID officers in mufti arrested an inbound Sri Lankan passenger from New Delhi when he tried to escape after Customs clearance at BIA with 20 kilos of gold stitched to his clothing on Friday. The gold was valued at Rs. Passengers have been smuggling gold in various ways into the country hidden inside bags, shoes and clothing, he added.

Source: Sunday Times September 03, 2018 04:41 UTC