Six individuals have been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake for attempting to smuggle in gold and other restricted goods. 

According to the Police, the suspects had arrived from Dubai, United Arab Emirates early this morning.

They had been arrested after they were inspected by Customs Officials based on a tip-off received by the Criminal Investigations Unit at the airport. 

The officials had seized gold jewellery weighing 3.158 kg that had been worn by the suspects and concealed in their luggage. 

A total of 39 iPhones that were concealed in their luggage had also been seized by the officials. 

Among the six suspects, the four men are aged 45, 48, 50, and 51 and are residents of Akurana. 

Meanwhile, the two women are aged 40 and 41 and are residents of Negombo and Trincomalee.

The suspects have been handed over to the Customs Department at the airport for further investigations. (NewsWire)