Customs officials at Chattogram’s Shah Amanat International Airport seized 1,828 cartons of smuggled cigarettes worth an estimated Tk 3.4 million on Sunday night.
The seizure took place around 10:00 PM following the arrival of Air Arabia flight G9-520 from Sharjah, UAE.
According to airport officials, a joint team searched the baggage of three incoming passengers and recovered 1,132 cartons of cigarettes. Additionally, another 696 cartons were found abandoned on a luggage belt in the arrival hall.
The three passengers have been identified as Md. Mostafa Kamal Sumon from Ramganj, Lakshmipur; Mohammad Abdullah Talukder from Hathazari, Chattogram; and Mohammad Nasir Uddin Talukder from Rangunia, Chattogram.
Airport Public Relations Officer Engineer Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil confirmed the incident. He stated that the seized cigarettes have been handed over to Chittagong Customs House custody under a Detention Memo (DM).
The three passengers were released after receiving a verbal warning from Customs Intelligence.
Airport authorities, alongside Customs and Customs Intelligence, reiterated their commitment to maintaining strict vigilance to prevent smuggling and revenue evasion.
