Two Indian nationals have been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) with 53,200 illegally imported cigarettes worth approximately Rs. 7.98 million, police said.

The suspects, aged 26, were arrested by officers of the Police Narcotics Bureau while attempting to take the cigarette consignment out of the airport premises.

Police said the cigarettes, manufactured in China, were concealed inside their luggage after the suspects travelled from Cambodia via Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They have been released on police bail and are due to appear before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court on 21 July.