Customs investigates suspected attempts to import cannabis seeds for cultivation

Sri Lanka Customs says it is paying particular attention to suspected attempts by drug traffickers to import cannabis seeds through courier parcels for cultivation in Sri Lanka.

Chandana Punchihewa, Director and media spokesperson of Sri Lanka Customs, said recent seizures suggested that traffickers were changing their routes.

“Over the past few months, we mainly detected drugs carried by passengers arriving from Thailand or travelling through Thailand. However, all four seizures this month involved other routes. One consignment came from Madagascar, two came from the United Kingdom and another came from Italy. These were different from the routes we usually encounter," he said.

Punchihewa said it is also possible that the consignments originated in the same place but travelled through a more circuitous route.

He said the discovery of cannabis seeds in courier parcels raised concerns about possible cultivation.

“These plants can grow in Sri Lanka. We suspect that the seeds may have been imported for cultivation. Traffickers appear to be trying new methods, and we are paying particular attention to this.”