India bound businessman arrested with brass, ammunition cases

A businessman about to leave for India with 25 kilos of brass was arrested by the airport police on Thursday (23) along with three ammunition cases.

The businessman (50) a resident of De Vaas Lane, Grandpass, was arrested after he was handed over to the police by the airport security.

The three ammunitions were found among the 25 kilos of brass brought by the passenger to be taken to India, according to airport security. Airport security also stated that they took action to hand him over to the police after the ammunition was observed in the baggage scanner.

It has been revealed during investigations that this businessman, who travels to India and brings back textiles and decorative items is engaged in the business of selling them and that he takes brass when he goes to India because there are buyers there. During questioning, the suspect had said that he earns a profit of 500 Indian rupees by selling a kilo of brass in that country.

The police said that as a result, passengers going to India are now tempted to take the brass with them. Last January 8, 30 kilos of brass ammunition were found in the luggage of an air passenger who arrived at the airport ready to travel to Kerala, India.

The passenger was on his way on a pilgrimage to Sabarimalai. Investigations revealed that the ammunition had been added to the pile of brass at a place in Wattala where the brass was purchased. The businessman who was arrested day before yesterday had bought the stock of brass from a place in Panchikawatte. The police said that an investigation is being conducted into how three ammunition cases were among the brass.

Subsequent to producing the arrested suspect at the Negombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday (24), the police have been ordered to release him and submit the three ammunition cases to the Government Analyst and obtain a report.