Photo: BSS

CHATTOGRAM, May 22, 2025 (BSS)-Chattogram Customs seized a container of foreign cigarettes worth TK 1.25 crore sticks that were imported under false declarations and fake documents at Chattogram port on Thursday.

The cigarettes were imported by a Dhaka-based company Ahsan Corporation, under the guise of oranges in a consignment, according to the customs officials.

The C&F agent Diba Trading Limited was responsible for unloading the goods on behalf of the importer.

Customs House Deputy Commissioner Md Saidul Islam said that, "A huge amount of revenue was attempted to be evaded by using fake declarations and documents. We are currently conducting an inventory and legal action will be taken after the entire process is completed".
 
Saidul Islam said acting on a tip-off a 20-foot container arriving at Chattogram port at 1:30 pm on May 15 was detained.

Later, Investigation and Research (AIR) branch of the Customs House found 1.25 crore sticks of Lamar and Oscar brands cigarettes after physical test of the container around 12 am, he said.

Custom House Deputy Commissioner Kazi Raihanuj Zaman informed that the container was imported by declaring it as a container of oranges. However upon inspection, 1.25 crore sticks of cigarettes of Oscar and Lamar brands were found. The tax rate on orange imports is 90 percent; bur In the case of cigarettes, this rate can range from 320 percent to 600 percent. An attempt was made to evade duty of about Tk 30 crore through this consignment.