VAT intelligence seizes 316,400 sticks of illegal foreign cigarettes in Mohammadpur

The Directorate of Inspection, Intelligence and Investigation (VAT), Dhaka, seized 316,400 sticks of illegally imported foreign cigarettes from two residential buildings in the capital's Mohammadpur area during a raid yesterday (16 September).

Two preventive teams of the VAT intelligence directorate conducted the raid based on confidential information as part of efforts to protect government revenue and prevent the illegal marketing of tobacco products.

The teams reached the targeted locations at around 11:00am and simultaneously entered two residential buildings at Culture Housing, Shyamoli, and Joint Quarter of Mohammadpur area.

The teams initially found both warehouses locked. With assistance from the building caretakers and owners, the intelligence officials identified the concealed warehouses. As the keys could not be obtained, workers were brought in to break open the locks and gain access to the premises.

The officials found large quantities of foreign cigarettes stored in sacks inside the warehouses.

From one warehouse, they recovered 202,200 sticks of Patron Nano, 10,000 sticks of Mond Strawberry, 16,600 sticks of Mond Silver and 26,400 sticks of Oris Nano. Another warehouse contained 61,200 sticks of Orbit, Mond, Patron and Oris cigarettes.

The total market value of the seized cigarettes is around Tk 35 lakh, while the government would have received approximately Tk 30 lakh in VAT, supplementary duty and surcharge on the products, according to an NBR press release issued today.

The VAT intelligence officials said they were working with an important government intelligence agency to catch the smuggling network red-handed.

According to information gathered from local residents, the two warehouses had different addresses but belonged to the same person, who had rented the premises claiming that he would operate a dealership business.

The building owners said they had rented out the warehouses for legitimate business purposes and were unaware that the tenant was involved in dealing in illegal goods.

The caretaker told the intelligence officials that the warehouses generally remained closed during the day and that goods were mostly brought in at night. The operators also allegedly sent parcels to different parts of the country through courier services.

The seized cigarettes were handed over to the nearest customs warehouse as they had been imported illegally. As the import of foreign cigarettes requires prior permission and compliance with prescribed procedures, the seized cigarettes will be destroyed in accordance with the law, the VAT intelligence directorate said.

Legal proceedings, including filing of a case, are underway in connection with the seizure.