In a counter smuggling operation to prevent illegal pharmaceutical drugs from coming in to the market, a large quantity of illegally imported medicines have been seized by Sri Lnaka Customs Revenue Task Force last week from a warehouse in the Colombo Port.
The medicine is identified as PREGAB 150mg which is subject to NMRA lisence. This is usually prescribed as a pain killer. However, this drug is widely abused by drug addicts and therefore has a very high demand in the market.
The smugglers target school children with this drug to lure them to addiction, so that the customer base is widened and a steady demand is maintained.
The shipment has been arrived from India and was intercepted at a warehouse located inside the Colombo port premises. No NMRA lisence has been obtained for the importation.
Around 1.8million of these capsules were found concealed in 36 wooden speaker boxes imported by a businessman in Pettah.
The market value of the seized drugs is estimated to be around Rs. 90 million.
Further investigations are being carried out by officers attached the RTF under the guidance of Director General of Customs and Director of Revenue Task Force.