Customs sleuths seized 10 trucks carrying around 73 tonnes of duplex board, imported duty-free under bonded-warehouse facilities, from Old Dhaka's Naya Bazar business heartland in a combined operation.
Officials said Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) conducted an operation late on Friday night (August 28) following a tip-off that the bonded goods, destined for a bonded factory in Khulna, were being diverted to the capital for sale on the open market.
Of the 10 trucks brought under the control of the customs -intelligence officials, nine were carrying duplex board while the goods in one truck could not be immediately identified, according to a CIID press release issued Saturday.
The goods were imported from India's Mehali Papers Pvt Ltd in the name of Sri Flexopack Ltd, located in Teligati, KUET, Aranghata, Khulna.
The consignment was assessed at Chattogram Customs House, with M.A. Azad & Co. Ltd acting as the C&F agent and Delta Transport Service as the transporter.
As the story runs, a CIID team, led by the Additional Director-General-1, took position at different locations after receiving information about the suspected diversion of import the consignments.
Personnel from RAB-10 and the Lalbagh division of police also joined in the combined operation, while other intelligence agencies provided necessary assistance, the release said.
According to the CIID, a convoy of 10 trucks heading towards Naya Bazar noticed the presence of customs -intelligence officials.
"One truck subsequently fled the scene and efforts are underway to identify and seize it."
Another truck, which had already been positioned in Naya Bazar allegedly in preparation for selling the goods, was identified and seized.
The customs intelligence agency said the normal bypass route for goods vehicles travelling from Chattogram to Khulna is Kanchpur-Signboard-Postogola-Mawa Expressway-Padma Bridge-Khulna.
Naya Bazar, Raishaheb Bazar and Tantibazar in Old Dhaka are outside this regular route and lie in the opposite direction, the CIID said.
The diversion of the bonded trucks from the designated route and their entry into the wholesale trading area of Naya Bazar provided "preliminary confirmation of the tip-off".
The agency had also obtained preliminary information about the wholesale establishment where the bonded paper was allegedly being prepared for sale. The names of the establishment and individuals concerned have not been disclosed in the interest of investigation.
Under bonded-warehouse facilities, duty-free imported raw materials must be transported to the authorised factory or warehouse of the bonded establishment and used for approved production purposes.
Transferring such goods to another warehouse or wholesale market without approval, releasing them into the open market, selling or transferring them, or using them outside the authorised production process may constitute a violation of bonded-facility conditions and potential evasion of customs duties and taxes.
However, the CIID said the liability of the concerned individuals and entities would be determined after completion of the investigation, verification of documents and the recording of statements.
The agency is currently examining the registration and ownership of each seized truck, quantity and package details, integrity of container and transport seals, bills of entry, invoices, packing lists and transport documents.
It is also checking the importer's bond licence and utilisation permissions, departure and arrival times of the consignments, the intended wholesale buyers in Naya Bazar, and the roles of the importer, C&F agent, transporter and potential buyers.
Investigators are also looking into whether similar bonded goods had previously been diverted and sold on the open market and the potential amount of government revenue at risk.
The CIID said making a full inventory and assessment of the seized goods and trucks were underway.
"If the investigation establishes misuse of bonded facilities, diversion from the designated destination, unauthorised release or open-market sale, legal action will be taken against the individuals and entities concerned under the existing customs and bonded-warehouse laws and regulations."
The agency is also continuing efforts to locate the runaway truck, identify potential buyers and wholesalers, and uncover the wider network allegedly involved in the attempted diversion.
