Illegal drugs worth over Rs.60 million seized at Central Mail Exchange

Newswire reports that Sri Lanka Customs seized narcotics with an estimated street value of Rs. 60.265 million from nine overseas mail packages at Colombo’s Central Mail Exchange. Daily Mirror reports that the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit confiscated an airmail consignment at the exchange, while Ada Derana also reports a seizure there valued at about Rs. 60 million.

Newswire reports that the haul comprised 4,934 grams of Kush cannabis, estimated at Rs. 49.34 million; 1,035 grams of hashish, estimated at Rs. 10.35 million; 25 grams of ecstasy tablets, put at Rs. 375,000; and four grams of cocaine, estimated at Rs. 200,000. Newswire says three packages came from Thailand, with two each from Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Newswire reports that Customs officers identified the packages during routine checks of incoming international mail over several months and held them for collection by their intended recipients. After they were not collected within the stipulated period, Newswire says officers inspected them in the presence of Police Narcotic Bureau personnel. The examination involved Customs’ Narcotics Control Unit and Postal Appraising Branch, alongside the police officers.

Newswire reports that, after preliminary inquiries, Customs transferred the seized narcotics to the Police Narcotic Bureau for further investigation and legal proceedings.