Smuggled Indian goods worth Tk4 crore seized in Chattogram’s Khatunganj

A joint drive by the Bangladesh Coast Guard and police has led to the seizure of a large consignment of smuggled Indian textiles and counterfeit goods worth around Tk4 crore in Chattogram’s Khatunganj area.

Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq disclosed the information through a press release this morning (28 January).

He said the operation was conducted based on intelligence that a warehouse in Khatunganj, under Kotwali police station, was being used to store smuggled Indian goods brought into the country by evading customs duties and taxes.

Acting on the tip-off, a joint team from Coast Guard Base Chattogram and police raided the warehouse at around 4pm on Monday. During the search, the team recovered a huge quantity of illegally imported Indian saris, three-piece dress sets, glass bottles, plastic bottles, plastic sacks, adulterated olive oil, materials used to produce fake olive oil, and bottle labels.

The seized goods are estimated to be worth approximately Tk4 crore, officials said.

No arrests were made as those involved fled the scene upon sensing the presence of the joint force.

The seized items have been handed over to Chattogram Customs for further legal action, the Coast Guard said.

Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq added that the Coast Guard will continue such operations in the future to prevent smuggling and illegal trade.