Customs Revenue Task Force (CRTF) yesterday contraband Rs. 20 million worth of state-of-the-art mobile phones and accessories which wer imported using EMS air mail parcel system. CRTF Assistant Director K.A. Dharmasena told The Island Financial Review that this telecommunication equipment was imported giving bogus addresses. "The delivery addresses given on these parcels were bogus. Under Customs Ordinance we have forfeited 4,163 mobile phones and accessories which would be auctioned later. If these equipment reached the market the Government would have incurred a revenue loss of Rs. 50 million."

According to Customs sources the illegal imports aredone by the Pettah traders avoiding the importation procedures and tax. CRTF Assistant Director K.A. Dharmasena (third from left) inspecting the contraband equipment. Superintendent of Customs Sisira de Silva, Assistant Superintendent of Customs D.B.N. Samarathunga, and Assistant Superintendent of Customs U.T.B. Alawathuguda is also present. – AH
Pic by Nishan S. Priyantha.