January
2, 2013, 10:58 pm
by
Madura Ranwala | The Island
Two
officers of the Customs Narcotic Division on Tuesday evening thwarted an
attempt by a 28-year-old Iranian national to smuggle in two kilos of
Methamphetamine into the country at the Bandaranaike International Airport.
The
contraband meticulously hidden in the bottom lining of his travelling bag is
worth around Rs. 206 million. It also could be used as a chemical to
manufacture various kinds of what are termed speed drugs, a spokesman for the
customs told The Island yesterday. The smuggler had planned to stay in
the country until January 9, he said.
He
said that the contraband known as ‘ICE’ in common usage, was popular in
nightclubs among drug addicts where continuous dancing performances take place.
"It helps a person to keep vigil and body afresh even if she or he feels
tired," he stressed.
The
smuggler was detected on suspicion as he was taking the green channel around
4.00 p.m. He had tried to escape when stopped by vigilant customs officers,
Assistant Superintendent, Thanushka Wijesuriya and Deputy Superintendent M. I.
Razeek.
The
handsome smuggler had tried to pose off as an electrician. According to his
passport he had arrived in India on December 19 in 2012 and had flown to
Georgia on December 25. The smuggler also had flown to Qatar via Doha before
arriving in Sri Lanka aboard QR 302 flight.
According
to investigations by the customs, the young smuggler had arrived in the country
for the first time. But last year too, there was a similar smuggling attempt of
the same drug by two Iranian nationals using the same airline and method.
The
initial investigations were conducted under the supervision of the customs
officers, Superintendents Nihal Alahaperuma and Saroj Chandrasena by Deputy
Superintendents M. I. Razeek and D. D. S. C. Michael, Assistant
Superintendents, Thanushka Wijesuriya, Thilina Wijesekere, Chandana Gamage, M.
K. Udaya Gamini and Prabudda Perera.
The
smuggler was later handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau at BIA.
