Customs officials at Chittagong port have confiscated a container containing bed sheets and sofa fabrics valued at approximately Taka 3 crore, after uncovering an attempt to illegally release the consignment using forged documents and evading customs duties.
The container, imported under the name of Savar-based exporter Eagle Textile, has remained undeclared in the customs system since its arrival on 18th May. Despite the company’s registration for a Business Identification Number (BIN) and VAT earlier this year, no clearance formalities have been initiated for the shipment, which includes 180 tonnes of fabric across eight consignments. There is also no record of any export activity by Eagle Textile.
During a thorough physical examination conducted today, customs officials found the fabric, which was declared as household items like bed sheets and curtains. The consignment was originally declared under an export-oriented, duty-free scheme, but customs authorities have determined that the imported items are not eligible for such exemptions.
Deputy Customs Commissioner Kazi Raihanuzzaman stated, “The import information is linked to Eagle Textile, but no bill of entry was submitted in the NBR server for clearance. It appears the importer attempted to smuggle the goods by forging documents to avoid paying duties and penalties, which would have totaled at least Taka 1 crore in duties and Taka 2.5 crore in fines.”
The authorities also suspect that the remaining seven containers, which have yet to be located, may have been smuggled out or are still inside the port.
In a related incident on 9th July, port security personnel intercepted an attempt to smuggle out a similar container using forged documents and detained four individuals. Among them was Md Rahim, who falsely claimed to be an employee of a forwarding agency named M Haque Enterprise. However, the agency’s proprietor, Mozammel Haque, denied Rahim’s employment, stating he used a fake ID and never received a Jetty Sarkar license, which is required for such official duties.
Port security guard Utpal Dhar explained, “Suspicion arose during routine document verification when forged signatures and fake authorizations were identified. Further investigation revealed that the detainees were trying to unlawfully release the container using fraudulent documents.”
Police have detained the four suspects, including Rahim, and sought a three-day remand for interrogation. Bandar Police Station OC Kazi Mohammad Sultan Ahsan said, “The fraud involved forged signatures and fake documents at every step. We will uncover the mastermind behind the scam after further questioning.”
Customs officials plan to file criminal and departmental cases once the full examination report is completed, aiming to bring the culprits to justice. The authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to cracking down on such fraudulent activities to safeguard the port’s integrity.
