A Chinese businessman has been arrested by Sri Lanka Customs at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, for allegedly attempting to smuggle a large consignment of foreign-manufactured cigarettes.

Customs stated that the suspect tried to pass through the airport’s Green Channel for passengers with nothing to declare after arriving on a Thai Airways flight from Bangkok.

A search of his luggage reportedly uncovered 440 cartons containing 88,000 cigarettes worth around Rs. 13 million.

Customs officials have launched further investigations into the incident.