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200 illegally imported luxury vehicles after 2015: Arrest orders issued

200 illegally imported luxury vehicles after 2015: Arrest orders issued

The Bribery Commission has been instructed to immediately arrest and produce in court those involved in the illegal imports of luxury vehicles after 2015 that had caused a loss of over Rs. 50 billion in duties to Sri Lanka Customs.

It is reported that Colombo Chief Magistrate Thilina Gamage had instructed the Bribery Commission yesterday not to stop at only seizing the vehicles, but to also arrest those who had been involved in the illegal imports.

The court order was issued after the judge had studied the facts presented by the Bribery Commission, which claimed that among the 200 illegally imported vehicles only 20 had been returned thus far.

A Mitsubishi Jeep valued at Rs. 60 million, which had been seized by Bribery Commission officials, had also been produced in court yesterday.

The court was informed that even though the owner of the vehicle had been instructed by the judiciary to hand over the vehicle to the government on September 18, he had concealed the vehicle.

Bribery Commission officials had only been able to seize the vehicle after having obtained a court order for its seizure.

Considering the facts, the Colombo Chief Magistrate pointed out that it was the responsibility of the Bribery Commission to apprehend those who intentionally caused losses to the government and instructed such individuals to be arrested immediately.

The Bribery Commission had launched a probe into 200 luxury vehicles illegally imported after 2015 and had been registered as ordinary vehicles imported before 2015 by providing false data to the Motor Traffic Department. (newswire)

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