Chattogram Correspondent

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has seized a dumper truck loaded with a large quantity of illegal foreign cigarettes during a special anti-smuggling operation in Rangunia, Chattogram. Two young men were also arrested on suspicion of being involved in the smuggling. According to BGB, the estimated market value of the seized cigarettes and dumper truck is Tk 8,303,400.

The operation was conducted at around 4:00 am on Wednesday (October 7) in the Eco Park area of Rangunia upazila along the Chattogram-Kaptai road. Members of Kaptai Battalion (41 BGB) conducted the operation based on intelligence information.

According to BGB sources, a special patrol team of Kaptai Battalion took position in the Eco Park area after receiving information that illegally imported foreign cigarettes were being transported towards Chattogram from a border area. The operation was conducted under the direction of Lieutenant Colonel Kawsar Mehedi, commanding officer of Kaptai Battalion (41 BGB), and led by Naib Subedar Md Ahsan Habib.

At one point, the BGB members noticed the suspicious movement of a dumper truck and conducted a search. During the search, a large quantity of foreign cigarettes was recovered from the vehicle. The seized cigarettes included 17,090 packets of ‘Patron’ and 1,800 packets of ‘Oris’ cigarettes. In total, 18,890 packets of illegal foreign cigarettes were recovered.

Two people who were inside the dumper truck were arrested during the operation. The arrested individuals were Md Touhidul Islam, 21, son of Nazim Uddin of Nishchitpur village in Rangunia, and Sahedur Islam Nayan, 22, son of late Mohammad Ali of Shilk village.

According to the preliminary investigation and questioning by BGB, the recovered cigarettes had not entered Bangladesh through the legal import process. The cigarettes were allegedly collected through illegal routes from a border area and were being transported towards Chattogram by crossing Kaptai Lake and then using the Kaptai-Chattogram road.

BGB said smugglers collect foreign cigarettes illegally from various border areas and distribute them to different parts of the country through several routes. Preliminary investigation suggests that the seized consignment was also being transported through the Kaptai-Chattogram road as part of a smuggling network.

Officials said the BGB operation in the Eco Park area of Rangunia prevented the consignment from reaching its intended destination.

According to BGB estimates, the total market value of the 18,890 packets of illegal foreign cigarettes and the seized dumper truck is Tk 8,303,400. BGB considers the seizure of such a large consignment of illegal cigarettes a significant success in its ongoing anti-smuggling operations. Legal proceedings against those involved are underway.

Lieutenant Colonel Kawsar Mehedi, commanding officer of Kaptai Battalion (41 BGB), said that BGB has strengthened intelligence activities to prevent smuggling alongside ensuring border security. Regular patrols and special operations are being conducted to stop the transportation and trafficking of illegal goods.

He said BGB's surveillance remains active to prevent illegal goods from entering the country through border areas. Individuals and groups involved in smuggling will be identified and brought under legal action, he added.

The BGB official further said that after completing the necessary legal procedures concerning the two arrested individuals, the recovered illegal cigarettes and the seized dumper truck, the suspects were handed over to Rangunia Police Station.

Law enforcement agencies are continuing regular operations to prevent illegal foreign cigarettes and other goods from entering the country through border areas. The latest operation in Rangunia was part of these ongoing anti-smuggling efforts.

The seizure of nearly 19,000 packets of illegal foreign cigarettes, along with the dumper truck, and the arrest of two individuals have once again highlighted the ongoing efforts to combat smuggling. Authorities are also investigating whether other individuals are involved in the suspected smuggling network.