Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Two Indians Arrested in Sri Lanka Over Alleged Cigarette Smuggling
Two Indian travelers were arrested in Sri Lanka.
Police say they were carrying many cigarettes without permission.
The cigarettes were made in China.
Officials allegedly found 278 cartons, containing 55,600 cigarettes.
The cigarettes were hidden inside three suitcases.
The items were valued at about 834,000 Sri Lankan rupees.
The travelers arrived on a flight from Singapore.
They are expected to be taken to court in Negombo.
Two Indian nationals were arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport in Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
Authorities allegedly found 278 cartons containing 55,600 Chinese-made cigarettes in three suitcases.
The cigarettes were estimated to be worth 834,000 Sri Lankan rupees.
The suspects reportedly travelled from China through Singapore before arriving on Singapore Airlines flight SQ-468.
The 33-year-old man and 38-year-old woman are expected to appear before Negombo Magistrate’s Court.
- Who
- Two Indian nationals: a 33-year-old construction worker and a 38-year-old schoolteacher.
- What
- They were arrested over the alleged smuggling of 278 cartons, or 55,600, Chinese-made cigarettes.
- When
- Tuesday; they reportedly arrived at about 12:25 a.m.
- Where
- Bandaranaike International Airport, Sri Lanka.
- Why
- Authorities allege that the cigarettes were concealed in suitcases and brought into Sri Lanka illegally.
- Arrests
- Two Indian nationals
- Seized cigarettes
- 55,600 cigarettes in 278 cartons
- Estimated value
- 834,000 Sri Lankan rupees
- Origin of cigarettes
- China
- Travel route
- China to Singapore, then Sri Lanka
- Flight
- Singapore Airlines flight SQ-468
- Next legal step
- The accused are expected to be produced before Negombo Magistrate’s Court