Seized Indian goods worth Tk6cr allegedly swapped with local products at Benapole

Seized Indian goods worth approximately Tk6 crore were allegedly removed from a locked warehouse of Benapole Land Port and replaced with lower-quality local items raising serious questions regarding the port security system.

Allegations have surfaced that those Indian products – sarees, three-piece suits, babywear, face wash, creams, lotions and other cosmetic products – were secretly replaced while under official custody, creating major concern among customs authorities.

According to customs sources, Safa Impex, an importer based in Jashore, brought in a consignment from India on 12 March, which was received by Huda Enterprise and subsequently stored in Shed No 37 at Benapole Land Port.

The consignment was then seized under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act 2023 and placed under the custody of the port authorities.

Although the import documents declared the goods as baking powder, a physical inspection by customs officers uncovered 108 cartons containing Indian sarees, three-piece suits, babywear, face wash, creams, lotions and other cosmetic products valued at approximately Tk6 crore.

Customs officials estimated that the false declaration was intended to evade government revenue amounting to Tk2.32 crore.

Customs also issued several written instructions directing the port not to release the shipment until legal proceedings were concluded.

Sources said customs sent separate letters warning the port authorities to ensure the security of the seized consignment.

Despite these instructions, it is alleged that during the Eid holiday period the confiscated Indian goods were removed from the locked warehouse and replaced with lower-quality local sarees, three-piece outfits and other products.

Mohammad Faizur Rahman, commissioner of Benapole Customs House, said that the substitute goods were found packed in cartons bearing the names of various local companies.

Investigators also recovered packages wrapped in Bangladeshi newspapers and bearing labels from domestic courier services.

"These pieces of evidence suggest that the replacement goods were brought in from within the country," Faizur said.

He added that under customs regulations, responsibility for safeguarding seized goods rests with the warehouse custodian.

Consequently, a letter has been sent to the port authority demanding payment of Tk 2.32 crore in lost revenue.

Following the allegations, customs intelligence officials launched an investigation.

On 2 June, the shipment was re-examined in the presence of representatives from customs, the port authority and the business community which reportedly confirmed the allegations.

Mohammad Shamim Hossain, director (Traffic) of Benapole Land Port, said a three-member inquiry committee had been formed to investigate the incident.

The committee is headed by Deputy Director (Traffic) Mohammad Ruhul Amin and has been instructed to submit its report promptly.

He further stated that Mohammad Shahjalal, the officer in charge of Shed No 37, had been removed from his post and served with a show-cause notice. CCTV footage from the relevant period is also being reviewed.

"If anyone is found to have been involved, legal action will be taken in accordance with the law," he said.

Meanwhile, Anisur Rahman, proprietor of Huda Enterprise, claimed that his firm had never submitted a Bill of Entry for clearance of the seized consignment.

He alleged that an individual named Raju had used the company's name to carry out the activities and had informed customs authorities accordingly.

Several officials associated with customs and the port claimed that the attempted duty evasion through false declaration and the subsequent removal of the seized goods may have been part of a coordinated operation by the same criminal network, aimed at both avoiding customs duties and destroying evidence.