Indian national arrested at Katunayake airport with drugs worth Rs 230 million

An Indian national who attempted to smuggle Kush and Hashish worth more than Rs 230 million into the country was arrested early today (7th) by airport narcotics officers at Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake.

The suspect was arrested while trying to leave the airport premises. He is a 37-year-old businessman residing in Tamil Nadu.

A search of his luggage uncovered 2.102 kilograms of Kush hidden inside four tins labelled as tamarind sweets. A further 5.260 kilograms of Hashish, shaped to look like sweets, was found inside six candy packets.

The arrested suspect and the seized drugs are due to be produced before the Negombo Magistrate's Court today; police are expected to seek permission to hold him in custody for further investigations.

Customs and narcotics officials say airports remain a key entry point for drug smuggling attempts into the country, and baggage screening has been tightened in recent months. The seized consignment is among the larger narcotics detections at the airport this year.