A 31-year-old Ugandan national was arrested at Katunayake Airport for possession of 1.74 kilograms of cocaine. The suspect had swallowed 72 pellets of cocaine to smuggle the narcotics, according to police reports.

The arrest occurred on Saturday during a raid by Police Narcotic Bureau officials following the suspect's arrival from Qatar. The individual was admitted to Negombo Hospital, where medical personnel recovered the 72 pellets concealed in his body.

The Police Narcotic Bureau continues to investigate the incident