A 43-year-old Ugandan national has been arrested in Sri Lanka after he was allegedly found to have swallowed capsules containing cocaine upon arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport.
The suspect, identified as a farmer from Uganda, arrived in Sri Lanka on Friday morning, September 13, aboard a Qatar Airways flight from Entebbe International Airport via Doha, Qatar.
According to Sri Lankan Customs officials, officers from the Customs Narcotics Control Division intercepted the suspect after receiving intelligence regarding possible drug trafficking.
The suspect reportedly remained on the first floor of the airport until around noon before Customs officers moved in and searched him.
During the operation, the suspect allegedly expelled 13 capsules containing cocaine. The capsules weighed approximately 161 grammes in total and were estimated to have a street value of around Rs. 7.245 million.
Sri Lankan authorities suspect that the suspect may have swallowed additional capsules containing narcotics.
He was subsequently handed over to officers from the Airport Police Narcotics Bureau and taken to Negombo General Hospital, where he was admitted for medical examination and procedures to recover any remaining capsules believed to be inside his body.
Authorities are continuing investigations into the suspected drug trafficking case.
The incident is being investigated by Sri Lanka’s Police Narcotics Bureau in coordination with Customs authorities.
Sri Lankan authorities have not yet disclosed the identity of the Ugandan suspect or details regarding how the cocaine was allegedly obtained before his departure from Uganda.
