Over 8.7 Mn illegally imported cigarettes destroyed

Sri Lanka Customs is looking at the possibility of using equipment with Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to detect illegally smuggled goods inside containers, Customs Media Spokesperson and Additional Director, Seevali Arukgoda said. 

Speaking to reporters, Seevali Arukgoda said the Customs Department is considering obtaining AI scanners or X-ray machines to detect illegal goods.

He further said that discussions are already underway with manufacturers of such devices. 

Meanwhile, over 8.7 million cigarette sticks, valued at Rs. 1.2 billion, which had been illegally smuggled from abroad in 2018, 2022, and 2024 were destroyed today. 

The stocks of illegal cigarettes had been seized by Sri Lanka Customs and had been stored in three containers.

The stock was handed over to the Ceylon Tobacco Company (CTC) to be destroyed at its head office in Colombo today. (Islandnews)