The Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) took over the investigation into the seizure of a container load of chemicals "Thionil Chloride", which could be used for chemical warfare, to ascertain whether it had been smuggled by the Tigers for use in the warfront against the military, SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said yesterday,

Director General of Customs Sarath Jayatilleke said the container had been detained by the Customs and that investigations had been taken over by the TID.

The Assistant Director of the Customs (Narcotics Control Unit) Hewarenne Dayapala said the 20-foot container had been shipped from Chennai and detained by the Customs Preventive section. The Bill of lading had described the cargo as toys.

But, a subsequent search by the narcotic control unit revealed that it was Thionil Chloride, which could be used in chemical warfare as well as a narcotics substance.

The consignee’s name and address were found to be fictitious