390+ Smuggled Mobile Phones Seized: Businessman Arrested with Rs. 34M Mobile Phone Haul

COLOMBO (News 1st); A businessman attempting to smuggle in a massive stock of high-value mobile phones worth over Rs. 34 million was arrested by Customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake.

Customs officials said the suspect was detained while trying to exit the airport through the Green Channel, carrying more than 390 mobile phones concealed in his luggage. 

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the mobile phones were brought into the country without the approval of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) — a mandatory requirement for the importation of communication devices.

The arrested individual has been identified as a 45-year-old businessman from Dematagoda.