Security officers attached to the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) have seized a stock of gems which a Sri Lankan passenger had attempted to smuggle out of the country.

According to the Customs Department, the passenger had been scheduled to fly to Chennai, India, on SriLankan Airlines flight no. UL 127. The suspect had been in possession of various types of gems weighing 482.02 grams, and they had been wrapped in carbon papers to avoid detection through X-Ray machines.

The suspect and the stock of gems in question have been handed over to BIA Customs officers, and further investigations are in progress.

As per the Customs’ estimation, the stock of gems is worth around Rs. 1.6 million.