On 28th June 2020, Customs Officers working at air cargo village terminal Katunayaka examined a shipment which contained 25 Kg of poppy seeds. Exportation was done by a company located at Nawalapitiya.
The goods declared as “Vegitables”. Upon examination, one package contained 25 kg of poppy seeds and the rest of the shipment contained fruits and vegetables. Since poppy seeds are prohibited to export under the Poison, Poppy and Dangerous Drug Act, Director of Customs (Exports Division) ordered to detain the goods and subsequently seized by the Customs officers after the customs inquiry. Also a penalty of Rs 25,000.00 was imposed to the exporter.
This violates sections 12, 44, 107A of customs ordinance read with Poison, Opium and Dangerous Drug act NO.13 of 1984
Detection was done by,
• R M T S S Danapala – Assistant Superintendent Of Customs (Export Division)
• M P H Wickrama – Assistant Superintendent Of Customs (Export Division)