Frenchman remanded for gold smuggling attempt

A French national who tried to smuggle a stack of gold valued at Rs. 83.5 million into the country was arrested by a group of Sri Lanka Customs officers. 

“The stock of gold weighs 4kg and 611 grams and is worth over Rs. 85.3 million,” Customs Director Sivali Arukgoda said.

The 35-year-old suspect had visited Sri Lanka on several occasions before, but this time considering that he was only here for 24 hours, Customs officers on suspicion inspected his luggage and detected the stock of gold.

Customs officials found several gold necklaces in his luggage, as well as a stock of gold bars coated with black paint to evade detection.

The stock of gold was confiscated and the French national was imposed a fine of Rs. 70 million.

The French national had failed to pay the fine and was produced at the Negombo Magistrate’s Courts and was remanded until Wednesday (08).