Illegal Indian sarees worth Tk 20.67cr seized in N’ganj

Staff Correspondent :

The Bangladesh Coast Guard has seized a large consignment of illegally imported Indian sarees worth Tk 20.67 crore and detained a suspected smuggler during a special operation in Narayanganj’s Fatullah area. The seizure also included a covered van used to transport the smuggled goods.

The operation was carried out in the early hours of Friday in the Shibu Market area of Fatullah by a team from the Coast Guard’s Pagla Station. During the raid, Abdul Ahad (29), an alleged member of a smuggling syndicate, was arrested in connection with the illegal consignment.

Confirming the matter in the afternoon, Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq said the operation was conducted based on confidential intelligence.

Acting on the tip-off, a Coast Guard team set up a special drive at around 4:30 am and intercepted a suspicious covered van in the vicinity of Shibu Market.

Upon searching the vehicle, the team recovered a huge quantity of Indian sarees that had been brought into the country illegally by evading customs duties and taxes.

The estimated market value of the seized sarees is approximately Tk 20 crore 67 lakh 50 thousand. The individual involved in transporting the goods was taken into custody at the scene.

Following the operation, the seized sarees, the covered van, and the detained suspect were handed over to Fatullah Police Station for further legal action.

Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq added that a case is being filed in connection with the incident and necessary legal procedures are currently underway.

He further stated that the Coast Guard remains committed to preventing smuggling and protecting the country’s economy, and such anti-smuggling operations will continue in the future to curb illegal trade and customs evasion.