Three individuals were apprehended yesterday morning (01) in an operation for attempting to import over 3,500 invasive aquatic species that pose a threat to Sri Lanka from Thailand.
During an operation conducted yesterday morning by officers of the Sri Lanka Customs Narcotics Control Unit, three Sri Lankan citizens were arrested for attempting to bring over 3,500 invasive aquatic species into Sri Lanka from Bangkok, Thailand.
“Three individuals arrested for attempting to import invasive aquatic species into the country from Thailand”
Two of the arrested suspects are males aged 31 and 26, while the other is a 22-year-old female. They had arrived in Sri Lanka around 10:30 AM on SriLankan Airlines flight UL 403, according to reports.
These aquatic creatures, concealed in the suspects’ luggage, are classified as invasive species that pose a severe threat to Sri Lanka’s environment, and their importation is legally prohibited.
This special operation was carried out in coordination with the Biodiversity, Cultural and National Heritage Protection Unit of Sri Lanka Customs, and an investigation has been launched by Sri Lanka Customs to uncover the network and motives behind this attempt to bring these invasive aquatic species into the country.
