Raid on Fake Cigarette Factory in Bogura, Large Quantity of Counterfeit Cigarettes Seized

Staff Correspondent

Local administration conducted a raid on a factory accused of producing counterfeit cigarettes in Shajahanpur upazila of Bogura early Tuesday morning. A joint forces operation was carried out under the leadership of army personnel.

During the operation, several officials from the administration were present. At that time, a large quantity of counterfeit cigarettes of well-known brands, along with various materials used for manufacturing cigarettes, were seized from the factory.

The information was confirmed by UNO Md. Taifur Rahman.

He said that the operation was carried out at a factory involved in manufacturing counterfeit cigarettes in Shajahanpur in the early hours of Tuesday. Initially, he stated that a case would be filed over the illegal production of fake cigarettes, but declined to provide further details at the time.

Later, it was confirmed that a case has been filed against the owner of the factory, Md. Abdul Kader, on charges of producing counterfeit cigarettes.

Earlier in 2024, Customs authorities and the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection had conducted a raid on the same factory in Shajahanpur and seized nearly 100,000 sticks of counterfeit cigarettes. The factory was sealed at that time.

Sources said similar factories operate in different areas including Bogura, Pabna, and Ishwardi. Evading law enforcement, these factories allegedly produce and market counterfeit versions of various well-known cigarette brands. Despite multiple raids and the arrest of officials on several occasions, authorities have so far failed to completely stop the illegal production of fake cigarettes.