Foreign cigarettes, mobile phones seized at Chattogram airport
A joint team comprising the National Security Intelligence (NSI), Airport Aviation Security (AVSEC), and the Air Force Task Force seized foreign cigarettes, mobile phones, and banned beauty creams during two separate drives at Chattogram's Shah Amanat International Airport today (18 June).
In the operations, the team recovered 160 cartons of Esse and Mond brand foreign cigarettes, 10 mobile phones (Pixel 7 and Pixel 6 models), and 140 banned Goree brand beauty creams. The total value of the seized items is estimated at Tk11.02 lakh.
Airport Executive Magistrate Erfanul Haque Chowdhury and NSI Assistant Director Rezaul Karim were present during the operations.
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According to the airport authorities, the recovered cigarettes are worth Tk5.6 lakh, the mobile phones Tk5 lakh, and the banned Goree creams Tk42,000.
Engineer Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil, public relations officer of Shah Amanat International Airport, said the goods were seized from two passengers — Abu Naser of Fatikchhari upazila and Mintu Devna of the city's Chandgaon area. They arrived separately on flights operated by Salam Air and Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
Salam Air flight OV-401 from Muscat and Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-128 from Abu Dhabi landed at Chattogram Airport.
Based on confidential information, the NSI and the executive magistrate team intercepted the passengers as they attempted to pass through the green channel at the customs hall. Upon searching their baggage, the undeclared cigarettes, mobile phones, and creams were discovered.
The seized items have been handed over to the airport customs for further action.
