The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) seized a large consignment of illegal smartphones and foreign cigarettes worth approximately 6.77 million BDT (67.76 lakh) during two separate operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA).
The CIID confirmed the details in a press release issued on Wednesday, stating that these drives are part of the government’s ongoing “Zero Tolerance” policy against smuggling and revenue evasion.
Smartphone Seizure from Italy Passenger
In the first operation, intelligence officials intercepted a passenger named Alamgir Kabir, who arrived from Rome, Italy, on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-356.
Acting on suspicion regarding his movements, officials conducted a thorough search of his luggage. They discovered 45 high-end smartphones cleverly concealed using special techniques. The seized devices include:
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14 iPhones
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14 Samsung sets
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17 smartphones of other brands
The estimated market value of these confiscated phones is approximately 5.5 million BDT (55 lakh).
Cigarette Haul from Sharjah Flight
In a separate drive, the CIID team recovered 63,800 sticks of foreign cigarettes from a passenger arriving on a flight from Sharjah. The market value of the seized cigarettes is estimated at 1.27 million BDT (12.76 lakh).
Note: Bangladesh prohibits the import of foreign cigarettes without the mandatory health warnings printed in Bengali, and such goods are often smuggled to evade high import duties.
Legal Action
Following standard legal procedures, all seized items have been deposited into the Custom House Warehouse. Authorities are currently processing the cases in accordance with the Customs Act.
