Chattogram: A team of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) has seized a large consignment of foreign cigarettes worth approximately Taka 65 lakh, including duties and taxes, at Hazrat Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram. The seizure was made during a targeted operation conducted on the basis of confidential information.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, officials stated that the contraband items were recovered from three different baggage carried by a passenger, Mohammad Sohel, who holds passport No. EL0147654. Sohel arrived from Dubai on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-148. During a thorough search, customs officials discovered a total of 235 cartons of foreign cigarettes. This included 150 cartons of Mond brand and 85 cartons of Esse Lights brand, allegedly brought into the country without payment of the applicable customs duties and taxes, as mentioned in an NBR press release.
The seized cigarettes were handed over to the Chattogram ICD Customs House authorities through a detention memo for further legal proceedings. Officials indicated that the estimated value of the seized cigarettes, including customs duties and taxes, is Tk 65 lakh. The Total Tax Incidence (TTI) on the consignment has been calculated at 621.63 percent. Legal action is being taken against the offender in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, officials added.