Two Customs Officials Closed, Allegations Also Raised Over Luggage Syndicate

Jessore Bureau

Allegations of customs evasion and illegal smuggling of goods at Benapole, the country’s largest land port, show no sign of stopping. Most recently, three trucks loaded with goods were allegedly taken out of Shed No. 29 of the port without paying customs duties. Following the incident, two Assistant Revenue Officers (AROs) responsible for the area have been closed and attached to the Ministry of Public Administration.

According to customs sources, the two officials who were closed are Assistant Revenue Officers (AROs) Tarikul Islam and Shahidul Islam. A letter signed by Assistant Commissioner of Customs Mukta Chowdhury mentioned their attachment to the Ministry of Public Administration.

Sources said three trucks carrying goods were taken out of Shed No. 29 at Benapole Port between 12:30pm and 1pm last Tuesday. The truck numbers are Jessore-Ta-11-3133, Dhaka Metro-Ta-20-8349 and Dhaka Metro-Ta-22-7471. Sadia Enterprise of Moulvibazar in Dhaka imported the goods in two trucks from India. A C&F firm named Protyay Enterprise was responsible for clearing the consignment.

There are allegations that an organised group has long been taking goods out of different sheds at Benapole Port by evading customs duties. Local traders and people concerned have alleged that several individuals, including Mr. Samad, Mr. Azim and Mr. Hiru, are involved with the group. However, these allegations require independent investigation and verification.

Customs sources claim that the latest incident came to light based on information from an intelligence agency. The customs authorities later uncovered the matter through an investigation and took administrative action against the two officials. However, it has not yet been confirmed whether anyone else was involved in the smuggling of the goods.

Traders allege that various methods of customs duty evasion are being used in different sheds of Benapole Port, including sheds 28, 29, 41, 12, 15, 17, 30 and 42. These allegedly include making false declarations, showing lower weights of goods, using incorrect HS codes and clearing high-duty goods by declaring them as low-duty items.

There are also allegations that high-value sarees, three-piece dresses, lehengas, blades, chemicals, cosmetics and face creams are being brought into the country under the cover of legally declared goods. At times, goods are also allegedly taken out of the port without paying customs duties. Traders claim that the government is losing a large amount of revenue as a result.

Meanwhile, port users and traders have questioned how three trucks loaded with goods could leave a shed during the daytime despite the presence of CCTV cameras, security measures and officials responsible for monitoring the area. Locals allege that when goods are received at a shed, the concerned officials count the packages and sign the documents. Later, when the goods are counted again based on intelligence information, cases have reportedly been found where additional goods were discovered. Under the rules, if excess goods are found, the matter should be recorded and reported to the customs authorities.

Traders have questioned how effective the port’s monitoring system is if excess goods can regularly leave the sheds without the attention of those responsible at the shed level. They said the matter needs to be investigated. Meanwhile, there have also been longstanding allegations regarding the movement of luggage through the Benapole International Checkpost Immigration and Customs areas. Locals claim that an organised group is bringing cosmetics, sarees, three-piece dresses, mobile phones, medicines and various other goods into the country illegally through the luggage of passengers arriving from India.

They allege that a large number of Indian citizens enter Bangladesh every day on business visas. A group allegedly collects the excess luggage they carry from the no-man’s land area and arranges for it to pass through customs checks. There are also allegations of financial transactions at different stages of the process.

Locals claim that specific amounts of money are collected at different stages of this luggage movement system. However, the allegations need to be verified through statements from the relevant authorities and supporting documents.

Recently, a video showing scuffles during the movement of luggage inside the customs area and people bringing goods through a window after opening its glass went viral on social media. According to relevant sources, several intelligence agencies are investigating the video.

Benapole Port Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Ashraf Hossain said, “I have seen the video of luggage being moved inside the customs area. If customs wants to identify those involved after reviewing the video and file a case, the police are ready to take the case.”