Sri Lankan Customs authorities have seized more than 200,000 Chinese cigarettes that were concealed inside imported metal doors in an attempt to evade detection.

Officers from Sri Lanka's Customs Revenue Task Force discovered the contraband during a routine inspection of a shipping container carrying goods imported from China. The cigarettes had been deliberately hidden within the metal doors as part of what authorities believe was a coordinated smuggling operation designed to bypass customs screening procedures.

The seized cigarettes are valued at approximately Rs. 30 million based on current market rates. The concealment method employed in this case demonstrates the sophistication of smuggling techniques being used to circumvent border controls, with importers utilizing the interior cavities of legitimate goods to transport illicit products.

Customs officials have initiated further investigations into the matter as they work to identify those responsible for the shipment and determine the intended distribution network for the contraband cigarettes. The case highlights ongoing efforts by customs authorities to detect and prevent the illegal importation of tobacco products into the country.