Chattogram Custom House officials seized 1.25 crore cigarette sticks that were imported under false declaration and with fake documents early today. Customs officials said they would be able to determine the exact value of the consignment after completing an inventory within a day.
According to customs documents, Dhaka-based importer Ahsan Corporation had declared the goods as oranges, which arrived at Chattogram Port on May 15 this year. Diba Trading Ltd, a clearing and forwarding agent, was assigned to release the goods on behalf of the importer.
Officials from the Audit, Investigation, and Research (AIR) section of the Customs House said they discovered forged documents submitted by the importer and the C&F agent to release the shipment. A subsequent physical examination of the container revealed it was loaded with cigarettes.
