Five Chinese Nationals Arrested at BIA in Recent Cigarette Smuggling Busts

Customs officials at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) have arrested five Chinese nationals in three distinct incidents during early April 2026, for attempting to smuggle large quantities of illegal cigarettes. The total value of the seized contraband across these operations is estimated to be over Rs. 28.5 million. The arrests occurred on April 1st, April 2nd, and April 5th, 2026, with suspects ranging in age from 23 to 37. The smuggled cigarettes, totaling approximately 190,200 sticks, were concealed within luggage, with some individuals attempting to exit through the green channel without declaration. The suspects arrived on flights from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Kunming, China.