A person arrested by the Customs for attempting to smuggle in 35 kilos of gold, estimated to be worth Rs. 1.1 bn (USD 3.65 mn), has been granted bail by the Negombo Magistrate, who impounded his passport.
The Customs produced the 32-year-old suspect, a resident of Grandpass, before the Magistrate, on 15 July, after he failed to pay a fine of Rs 1.1 bn imposed by the Customs. Customs officers described him as a frequent traveller.
A senior Customs official told The Island that having confiscated the gold, the smuggler had been fined an equivalent to the estimated value of gold he tried to smuggle in. The detection had been made following a tip-off received by the Customs, the official said, adding that there was a legal provision for them to impose a fine three times the estimated value of contraband detected.
Customs Spokesman Additional Director General Seevali Arukgoda, said that the smuggler had arrived from Dubai and a quick search had led to the recovery of gold concealed in nine specially modified devices, resembling car spare parts, and in the suspect’s travelling bag, as well. The stock included 195 gold biscuits and 13 kilos of gold jewellery, Arukgoda said.
Director General of Customs Sarath Nonis, had been present during the search carried out at the BIA. According to Arukgoda, this was the largest single detection of gold made at the BIA.
Customs officials said that the smuggler could appeal against the Customs actions within 30 days. They said that it would be the responsibility of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to go after the group behind the smuggling operation.
If the smuggler failed to pay the fine, he would be sentenced to 15 years RI, sources said.
By Shamindra Ferdinando