Sri Lanka Customs has seized three shipping containers imported by an organized crime gang under false declarations.

The consignment from Dubai is said to be worth over Rs.120 million, and contains a large stock of goods including food items such as turmeric, ginger, coffee, chocolates, cashew nuts as well as cosmetic products, soap and clothing.

The containers were discovered at a private cargo clearance facility in Dematagoda, Colombo.

A team of officials, including Director General of SL Customs – Sarath Nonis as well as Customs Media Spokesman and Additional Director General – Sivali Arukgoda had inspected the seized goods.

Upon inspection, the seized containers were found to hold 06 MT of turmeric, 03 MT of ginger, 03 MT of cashew nuts, and 1.5 MT of coffee beans.

These food items had been imported without the approval of the Plant Quarantine Division, while the cosmetic products, valued at millions of rupees, had been brought in without obtaining the necessary approval from the National Medicine Regulatory Authority of Sri Lanka (NMRA).

The Customs Media Spokesman had also stated that if these goods had not been intercepted, the government would have lost over Rs.120 million in tax revenue.

Investigations also revealed that the addresses provided for the shipment’s consignees were fake.

The Customs Media Spokesman also stated that steps will be taken to arrest individuals involved in this racket.

He also stated that around 07 cargo clearance companies are operating in Colombo, with organized crime gangs allegedly linked to these firms.

Customs officials have stated that the seized turmeric and ginger stocks will be inspected by the National Plant Quarantine Service before being distributed to the public through Sathosa, while the clothing and footwear will be sold through a Tender process.

Meanwhile, cosmetic products and soaps imported without NMRA approval will be destroyed, according to Customs Media Spokesman.