Sri Lanka Customs says it is closely monitoring what officials describe as changing drug-trafficking methods, including attempts to send cannabis seeds through courier parcels.
Customs Director and Media Spokesperson Chandana Punchihewa said recent seizures indicate that traffickers may be shifting the international routes used to move illegal drugs into Sri Lanka.
Routes appear to be changing
According to Customs, detections over previous months had frequently involved passengers arriving from Thailand or travelling through Thailand.
However, Customs says four recent seizures this month involved different routes.
Officials reported:
- one consignment linked to Madagascar;
- two linked to the United Kingdom;
- one linked to Italy.
Customs cautioned that consignments could potentially originate elsewhere and travel through indirect routes.
Customs has not identified these countries as definitively established production sources.
Cannabis seeds in courier parcels
Customs has also detected cannabis seeds in courier parcels.
Officials say the discovery has raised concern that the seeds may have been intended for cultivation in Sri Lanka.
Customs suspects the seeds may have been intended for cultivation in Sri Lanka. Planned body-scanning technology remains a future measure rather than an operational capability.