Customs Flags Thailand Link in Growing Narcotics Threat

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Customs has raised fresh concerns over evolving drug smuggling methods, warning that international narcotics networks are increasingly exploiting young people and unsuspecting travellers while also identifying a growing link to Thailand in recent trafficking attempts.

Deputy Director of the Sri Lanka Customs Narcotics Control Unit, Nuwan Abeynayake, said Customs detections carried out under the government's "Ratama Ekata" programme have already resulted in the seizure of 396 kilograms of narcotics this year, a figure rapidly approaching last year's total despite only part of the year having elapsed.

Abeynayake noted that throughout 2025, Sri Lanka Customs recorded 127 narcotics-related cases and seized a total of 435 kilograms of drugs.

"What we are seeing now is that although only around half of this year has passed, we have already seized a quantity of narcotics that is approaching last year's total," he said.

The Customs official also revealed a troubling trend identified in recent investigations, with traffickers increasingly turning to younger individuals to support their operations.

"During the past week or two, we observed that drug traffickers are increasingly using younger individuals in their operations," he said.

Abeynayake further highlighted the emergence of what authorities describe as a new narcotics route connected to Thailand.

"One important point that must be highlighted is that, in recent times, a new route for narcotics has emerged. It is linked to Thailand. As you may be aware, several Buddhist monks arriving from Thailand were found carrying narcotics," he said.

He warned that many travellers visiting Thailand on tourist visas are being approached by unknown individuals and persuaded to transport bags or parcels back to Sri Lanka, often without knowing what is inside.

Customs has urged the public to exercise extreme caution and avoid carrying luggage, parcels or packages belonging to others.

Meanwhile, Customs says it has significantly strengthened its screening and intelligence-gathering capabilities at ports of entry to prevent the country from being used as a hub for international narcotics trafficking.

According to Abeynayake, containers are selected for inspection using advanced risk-management systems, while all cargo undergoes scanning and other security procedures before clearance.

He added that officers attached to the Narcotics Control Unit closely monitor countries identified as sources of narcotics trafficking, with shipments arriving from high-risk nations subjected to enhanced scrutiny and comprehensive examinations.

"Under no circumstances will we allow Sri Lanka to be used as a transit hub for international drug trafficking," he said.

Abeynayake noted that Customs gathers intelligence from both source and exporting countries before conducting examinations, with inspections carried out within port premises before containers are released.

"If narcotics are detected during these examinations, immediate seizure action is taken," he added.