The Bangladesh Coast Guard seized a large quantity of counterfeit cigarettes during a joint operation in Bhola on Sunday. The cigarettes were reportedly stored for illegal distribution to evade government customs and taxes.
According to Lt. Md. Abul Kashem, Media Officer of the Coast Guard South Zone, the raid was conducted around 11:00 AM in the Chak Bazar area under Bhola Sadar Police Station. Acting on a tip-off, a team from Coast Guard Base Bhola joined forces with the Customs, Excise, and VAT Department to search two local warehouses.
During the search, officials recovered 19,400 sticks of fake cigarettes. The estimated market value of the seized goods is approximately 1.32 lakh. Authorities confirmed that the products were intended for the local market through illegal channels.
Legal proceedings regarding the seizure are currently underway.
