Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) has detected 17.51 tonnes of suspicious goods, including 8.25 tonnes of tobacco or tobacco-like substances and 9.26 tonnes of suspected scrap paper, at Chattogram Port.
The consignment was detected during a physical examination on September 27 after customs documents showed it had been imported in the name of Authoy Enterprise. However, the proprietor denied any involvement, saying neither he nor his establishment had any knowledge of the consignment.
He apprehended that an unscrupulous group might have misused his business name and import-related information.
According to customs documents, the consignment arrived from Kolkata aboard MV UDDIPON EXPRESS on September 22 under Manifest No. 4524/2026 and Voyage No. 011.
Under House B/L No. ISLCCU2627CGP095, 473 packages weighing 8,974 kg were declared as "Pan Masala and Zarda (Chewing tobacco product)". Physical examination of 470 packages, however, found 8,250.4 kg of tobacco or tobacco-like substances.
Read nextFive More Witnesses Testify in Graft Case Against Fugitive Former IGP Benazir AhmedThe recovered materials included dark brown, brown, grey and white powder-like substances. The CIID said some appeared suspicious and resembled narcotics, but their actual identity can only be determined through chemical and laboratory tests.
Under another House B/L, No. ISLCCU2627CGP096, 1,570 packages weighing 9,859.60 kg were declared as "PRINTED PAPER CATALOGUE". Physical examination found the same number of packages but weighing 9,263 kg, containing suspected scrap paper.
The two consignments together comprised 2,040 packages weighing 17,513.4 kg, or around 17.51 tonnes.
The use of Authoy Enterprise's name without the proprietor's knowledge has raised questions about the identity of the actual importer and possible misuse of the firm's business and import-registration information.
The proprietor urged the authorities to identify those involved and take legal action against them.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Daily Bews News Desk • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
