Five suspects who were attempting to smuggle a stock of gold worth more than Rs.160 million were apprehended by the customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning.

Customs Deputy Director (Legal) and media spokesman Sudatta Silva said that the suspects attempted to flee to Mumbai, India, by UL-141 flight this morning.

He said the gold stock was found by the customs Narcotic officers. The gold was hidden in their traveling baggage.

The customs investigations revealed that the smuggling was carried out in connection with an Indian national staying in the airport immigration area. That Indian national was also arrested by the customs officers for further questioning, the spokesman said.

He said the investigations enabled the officers to seize 10.5 kg of gold jewelry, gold pieces in gel form, and gold ornaments from their possession.

The customs officers claimed that the street value of this gold stock would be more than Rs.160 million.

Further investigation will be conducted by the customs narcotics control unit of the airport customs division. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)