Anti-corruption officials catch Chattogram customs officer, associate red-handed

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) officials have arrested an assistant revenue officer at Chattogram Customs House and his aide while accepting bribe money from an importer.

The operation took place this afternoon at the customs house's Seven-B section, where Rajib Roy, assistant revenue officer, and his associate Mainuddin were detained.

According to ACC officials, the importer, Amir Hossain, submitted documents for assessment on 7 September. Despite no issues with the paperwork, Rajib allegedly stalled the clearance and demanded bribes through a clearing and forwarding (C&F) agent.

He initially asked for Tk50,000 and later Tk30,000, telling Hossain that payments "must be made here to clear a file and are distributed across different levels."

Acting on a pre-planned trap, the ACC team caught Rajib and Mainuddin red-handed with the cash.

Amir Hossain said his goods were held up at the port due to the bribe demand, resulting in heavy demurrage charges. "My file was on hold even though everything was in order," he told reporters after the arrest.

ACC Assistant Director Saeed Islam, who led the operation, said a case will be filed, and further investigation will determine if others were involved. He added that bribery complaints at Chattogram Customs House are frequent. "The arrest will send a message. Officers will now think twice before demanding bribes," he said.