A Man Arrested With Walla Patta

A 34-year-old man resident from Kurunegala was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake for allegedly attempting to smuggle a haul of ‘Walla Patta’ herb out of the country. The customs officers have found around 25 kilograms of Walla Patta, also known as Gyrinops walla, estimated to be worth around Rs 1.2 million in his possession.

Transportation or possession of the plant, which only grows in certain parts of the island, is prohibited. The commercial value of this tree came to light with the recent attempts to illegally fell and smuggle it to extract Agarwood.