Major Crackdowns Uncover Thousands of Illegal Cigarettes Across Sri Lanka

In a series of recent operations targeting illicit tobacco trade, authorities have confiscated substantial quantities of illegal cigarettes. The most significant bust occurred on Saturday, May 16th, in Wellawatte, where a joint operation by the Sri Lanka Army Military Intelligence Unit and the Special Task Force (STF) led to the arrest of two individuals and the seizure of 22,400 illegal cigarettes valued at over Rs. 2 million. Earlier in May, on the night of the 5th, Ganemulla Police arrested one suspect in Parakandeniya with 20,600 illegal cigarettes. Additionally, on May 13th, Kollupitiya Police apprehended one Chinese national with 1,012 duty-free cigarettes.