A local businessman was arrested at the Katunayake International Airport while he was attempting to smuggle a stock of gold worth Rs. 43 million into the country, Customs spokesman and Deputy Director (Legal) Sudatta Silva said.

He said the gold, weighing two kilograms, was found hidden in his luggage during Customs inspection.

Customs investigations revealed that the 35-year-old businessman was a frequent overseas traveller and a resident of the Colombo area.

The suspect had arrived at the Katunayake Airport at 8.30 am on Thursday (18) by Emirates flight EK-650.

The stock of gold was found wrapped in what appeared to be wires contained in the luggage, the spokesman said.

Later, during the formal customs investigation, the stock of gold was confiscated and the businessman was fine of Rs. 1.2 million.