Cox's Bazar:The Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate in Cox's Bazar has seized 461,000 sticks of cigarettes with counterfeit banderols during coordinated anti-smuggling operations at three different locations within the district.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the operations were conducted on October 27, involving three teams from the commissionerate who carried out the raids in Chakaria, Cox's Bazar Sadar, and Hnila in Teknaf Upazila. These actions were taken under the directives of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) chairman and were overseen by the NBR member responsible for VAT Implementation and IT.
The cigarettes, which are from the Marble brand and produced by Heritage Tobacco, have an estimated market value of Tk 27.66 lakh. The counterfeit operation also represents Tk 22,95,780 in evaded revenue, as reported in an NBR press release.
The commissionerate has stated its intention to continue such operations to detect and recover evaded revenue and protect government financial interests.