Sri Lanka, Sept. 26 -- Customs Narcotics Control officials at Katunayake Airport arrested a Sri Lankan passenger this morning (26), for illegally importing a large consignment of foreign-manufactured cigarettes valued at Rs. 18 million.

The suspect, a 39-year-old businessman residing in Kotahena, Colombo, was apprehended while attempting to exit the airport's arrival terminal via the "Green Channel," which is reserved for passengers with nothing to declare.

The passenger arrived on Emirates flight EK-650 from Dubai at 8.50 a.m. this morning.

Customs officers discovered 600 cartons containing 120,000 foreign-manufactured "Platinum" brand cigarettes concealed within his six checked bags.

The suspect remains in customs custody as further...