COLOMBO – In a significant enforcement operation, Sri Lanka Customs, in close coordination with the Police, successfully intercepted an export container today that was found to be packed with illicit cargo. The container, which had been officially declared as a shipment of rice, was discovered to be concealing large quantities of metal scrap, including significant amounts of iron.
The operation took place this morning at the TRICO Export Facilitation Centre (EFC), situated near the port access road in the vicinity of the Ingurukade Junction. The interception was the result of a precise tip-off received by authorities, which alerted them to suspicious activity surrounding the export consignment before it could leave the country.
Customs Spokesman Chandana Punchihewa confirmed the discovery, detailing that the exporter had attempted to bypass customs regulations by mislabeling the shipment. “The container had been prepared for export under a formal Customs declaration stating that it contained rice,” Punchihewa stated. “However, acting on intelligence, we detained the container prior to its departure and immediately alerted the Police to initiate a joint examination.”
Following the initial detention, the Police sought and received authorization from the court to conduct a thorough inspection of the vessel. The court directed that the physical examination be conducted by Sri Lanka Customs officials in the direct presence of Police personnel to ensure transparency and proper evidence collection.
Upon opening the container at the EFC facility, authorities found that the manifest was entirely fraudulent. Instead of the declared rice, the container was densely packed with various types of metal scrap. The haul serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges customs officials face in preventing the illegal export of industrial materials, which are often subject to strict regulatory oversight and export controls.
“The container was intercepted well before its scheduled export, preventing what clearly would have been a significant violation of export laws,” Punchihewa noted. While the exact quantity and intended destination of the scrap metal are still being cataloged, officials have already launched a comprehensive investigation into the exporter and the logistics chain involved.
Authorities are now working to identify the parties responsible for the misdeclaration. This incident underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-sharing between law enforcement agencies and customs authorities, which has become vital in maintaining border security and ensuring that export regulations are strictly upheld at Sri Lanka’s busy ports.
Further updates are expected as the investigation into the origin of the scrap metal and the individuals behind the fraudulent filing continues. For now, the confiscated container remains under the custody of Sri Lanka Customs as evidence for the ongoing legal proceedings.
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