Sri Lanka Customs Narcotics Control Unit Intercepts Indian National with Cocaine and Ecstasy Worth Rs. 454 Million at BIA

Officers of the Narcotics Control Unit (NCU) of Sri Lanka Customs intercepted a 46-year-old Indian national at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on 28 October 2026, after detecting a consignment of cocaine and ecstasy with an estimated street value of Rs. 454 million in his luggage.

The passenger, who is an engineer by profession, had arrived in Sri Lanka from Paris via Doha on Qatar Airways flight QR 654. He was intercepted by NCU officers at the airport for further examination.

During the examination of the passenger’s luggage, officers discovered suspicious substances which were subsequently identified as cocaine and ecstasy. The seized consignment comprised approximately 5,121 grams of cocaine, with an estimated street value of Rs. 256 million, and 13,173 grams of ecstasy, equivalent to approximately 23,000 tablets, with an estimated street value of Rs. 198 million.

The total estimated street value of the seized narcotics amounts to Rs. 454,000,000 (Rs. 454 million).

Following the detection, Sri Lanka Customs conducted preliminary investigations into the incident. The suspect, together with the seized narcotics and other relevant productions, will be handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) for further investigations and legal proceedings.