The Bangladesh Coast Guard has seized a large quantity of foreign cigarettes and dried fish brought into the country by evading customs duties and taxes in Chittagong. A cargo boat used in the smuggling operation was also seized, and two people were arrested.
Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan confirmed the matter on Monday (March 9).
According to the Coast Guard, they received secret information that a large consignment of foreign cigarettes would be smuggled through the Karnaphuli River toward the Chinaghat area under Patenga Police Station in Chittagong.
Based on the information, Coast Guard members conducted a special operation around 2:00 pm on Sunday.
During the operation, officials searched a suspicious cargo boat and recovered 30,270 packets of foreign cigarettes of different brands, brought into the country by evading customs duties. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes is about Tk 1 crore 21 lakh 10 thousand.
In addition, 1,050 kg of dried fish was also seized from the boat.
Two people allegedly involved in the smuggling were arrested during the operation. The seized cigarettes, dried fish, cargo boat, and the detainees have been handed over to Patenga Model Police Station for legal action.
The Coast Guard said operations to prevent smuggling in the country’s riverine and coastal areas will continue.
