Customs officials at Bandaranaike International Airport intercepted a 43-year-old Ugandan national who allegedly swallowed 13 capsules containing cocaine upon arrival from Uganda.
A 43-year-old Ugandan farmer was detained at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake on Sunday morning after customs officials discovered he had allegedly swallowed capsules containing cocaine. The suspect arrived on Qatar Airways flight QR664 from Entebbe, Uganda, via Doha in the early hours of 13 September, according to Sri Lanka Customs.
Customs Narcotics Control Unit officers selected the passenger for examination based on intelligence and risk profiling procedures. During the investigation, officials recovered 13 capsules from the suspect's body, with a combined weight of approximately 161 grams. Authorities estimated the cocaine's street value at around Rs. 7.24 million.
Customs indicated there is suspicion the suspect may have ingested additional drug-containing capsules, and medical procedures were continuing under safety and legal protocols. One source specified the suspect was admitted to Negombo Hospital for ongoing medical examination. The suspect and recovered narcotics were transferred to the Police Narcotics Bureau for further investigation and legal proceedings.