Customs officials at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) have apprehended a total of 38 individuals – including 35 Chinese nationals, a Sri Lankan, a Bangladeshi, and a Malaysian – in a series of extensive smuggling operations throughout April 2026. These busts have resulted in the seizure of contraband valued at over Rs. 140 million, encompassing vast quantities of illegal cigarettes and sophisticated electronic devices linked to cybercrime.
The latest significant arrest occurred on April 20th, 2026, when a 35-year-old Chinese businessman arriving from Bangkok (originating from China) was intercepted with an astonishing 229,800 sticks of Chinese-manufactured cigarettes. The illicit consignment, valued at approximately Rs. 35 million, was discovered hidden across 13 luggage bags. The suspect, who had previously visited Sri Lanka three times, attempted to exit through the 'Green Channel' with the assistance of three porters before being apprehended.
This arrest is part of a broader crackdown that began in early April. The operations have primarily targeted individuals attempting to smuggle goods through the 'Green Channel' without declaration or by concealing items within their luggage and even on their bodies.
Cigarette Smuggling Operations:
* Early April (April 1st, 2nd, 5th): Initial arrests involved eight Chinese nationals in three separate incidents, seizing approximately 251,400 sticks of cigarettes valued at over Rs. 37.68 million. These individuals arrived from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Kunming, China.
* April 8th: Five additional Chinese nationals arriving from Kunming were arrested with 34,800 sticks of Chinese-manufactured cigarettes, valued at Rs. 5.22 million.
* April 11th: A 35-year-old Chinese businessman from Kuala Lumpur was apprehended with 26,100 sticks of Chinese-manufactured cigarettes, valued at Rs. 3.915 million.
* April 16th: Six Chinese nationals arriving on three separate flights were caught with 75,900 sticks of Chinese-manufactured cigarettes, valued at over Rs. 13.85 million.
* April 17th: Three Chinese nationals (aged 23, 25, 25) arriving from Dubai were arrested with 46,000 sticks of Chinese-manufactured cigarettes, valued at Rs. 6.9 million.
* April 18th & 19th: Two non-Chinese nationals were arrested. A 25-year-old Sri Lankan businessman from Dubai was apprehended with foreign-manufactured cigarettes and e-cigarettes valued at Rs. 5.53 million. Separately, a 36-year-old Bangladeshi businessman from Bangkok was arrested with 34,000 sticks of foreign-manufactured cigarettes, valued at Rs. 5.1 million.
* April 18th: A 42-year-old Malaysian national from Kuala Lumpur was arrested by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) Airport Unit with 11,000 sticks of foreign-manufactured cigarettes.
In total, these operations have intercepted approximately 717,000 sticks of various foreign-manufactured cigarettes.
Cybercrime-Linked Device Hauls:
Beyond cigarettes, customs officials also made significant seizures of electronic devices suspected to be intended for computer-related financial crimes:
* April 10th: Two Chinese nationals (a 35-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man) from Kunming were arrested with 84 used Apple mobile phones, valued at approximately Rs. 5.3 million, along with 10,000 Chinese-manufactured cigarettes.
* April 16th: Nine Chinese nationals arriving from Kunming were apprehended with a large consignment of electronic communication devices valued at over Rs. 24 million. Officials discovered 383 used mobile phones, 101 tablet computers, and 6 Wi-Fi routers concealed on their bodies and in their clothing using sellotape.
The combined value of all seized contraband across these incidents exceeds Rs. 140 million, highlighting a concerted effort by authorities to curb illegal smuggling activities at BIA.