Cox's Bazar:The Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate in Cox's Bazar has confiscated 461,000 sticks of cigarettes with counterfeit banderoles during coordinated anti-smuggling operations conducted on October 27 at three locations in the region.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, three teams from the commissionerate carried out these operations in Chakaria, Cox's Bazar Sadar, and Hnila in Teknaf Upazila, following directives from the National Board of Revenue (NBR) chairman and under the supervision of the NBR member for VAT Implementation and IT.
The cigarettes, identified as belonging to the Marble brand and manufactured by Heritage Tobacco, were taken during the raids. An NBR press release indicated that the seized goods have an estimated market value of Tk 27.66 lakh, with an associated revenue evasion totaling Tk 22,95,780.
The commissionerate stated that efforts to uncover and address revenue evasion will persist, aiming to recover lost revenue and safeguard government financial interests.