New forms of gold smuggling

Bringing gold-plated credit cards and capsules that contain gold gel are the newest ways of smuggling gold into the country. Customs officials are employing technology to detect gold of more than 22 carats.

“We are always one step ahead by following tip-offs that we receive beforehand from multiple intelligence sources, including revenue monitoring divisions among nations, about such illicit activities,” Sri Lanka Customs Spokesman Sudattha Silva said.

“In addition, we make use of inspection systems such as dual view x-ray security scanners which hold ionising radiation that is used to identify objects that could be hidden by passengers, and body scanners which deliver high-end customer security needs,” he added.

Precious metal smuggling involves the illicit transportation of valuable commodities, including gold and silver, between continents, countries and provinces via air transport, usually with the intention of circumventing taxes and other restrictions on imports and exports.

Sri Lanka steered its Customs Department to take stern measures to stop gold smuggling by airline passengers into the country, in a bid to prevent illegal activities.

More than 50 kilogrammes of gold were being smuggled into the country daily by racketeers. It was uncovered that the country loses about US$ 30 million to the national coffers monthly.

Sri Lanka at present is in the grip of a severe forex crisis and there is a strong demand for gold. Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya intervened and looked into the matter with the Customs Department in the beginning of this year, with the issuance of a Gazette notification restricting the import of gold jewellery over 22 carats.

Most of the gold was smuggled from Dubai, to the United Arab Emirates' gold industry, to Colombo. It was also uncovered that some smugglers were engaged in such unlawful activities owing to the lack of restrictions on the carrying of gold goods. A range of different techniques were used to disguise the items and evade detection by Customs officers and border staff. In most cases, this consisted of hiding contraband among other items, within personal effects, or inside one’s body.

The Government has decided to take legal action against those who wear unnecessary amounts of gold jewellery as they fly in with the purpose of cutting off illegal business. Accordingly, no one would be allowed to wear gold valued at more than 22 carats. Moreover, a special permit should be obtained to bring gold items of more than 22 carats into the country.