Sri Lanka Customs has urged the public not to carry parcels or baggage belonging to others when travelling, warning that unsuspecting passengers could be exploited to transport illegal items, including narcotics.
Customs Spokesman Chandana Punchihewa said travellers could become involved in serious criminal offences without knowing what they are carrying.
“We request the public not to carry parcels or baggage belonging to someone else during air travel or any other journey,” he said.
Punchihewa referred to a previous case involving a 19-year-old who was allegedly used in a drug smuggling operation, with the narcotics imported under the youth’s name while another individual was reportedly aware of the contents.
He said Customs officers have also encountered cases where even close family members had unknowingly been used by drug traffickers.
“Even people with very close relationships can be exploited in these operations. Therefore, our request is that you never agree to carry items that do not belong to you,” he said.
The Customs spokesman warned that illegal substances can be concealed in sophisticated ways that are difficult to detect, even by those who inspect their own baggage.
He also advised travellers to exercise caution when offered free travel arrangements by others without a clear explanation.
“When someone says, ‘I’ll buy you a ticket and send you abroad for free,’ think carefully about why that person is doing so,” he said.
Punchihewa further noted that drug trafficking offences carry severe penalties in many countries, including the death penalty in some jurisdictions, and urged the public to remain vigilant when travelling internationally.
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