Benapole Smuggling Case Names Eleven Accused

Authorities have filed a criminal case against 11 individuals, including members of the port security force, following the seizure of an Indian goods truck allegedly used in an organised smuggling operation at Benapole Land Port in Jashore. The case has intensified scrutiny of security procedures at Bangladesh’s busiest land port, where officials say the alleged operation exploited weaknesses in cargo handling despite multiple layers of surveillance.

The case was lodged on Saturday by the Benapole Land Port Authority at Benapole Port Police Station. Assistant Director (Traffic) of the port, Md Obaidul Mia, filed the complaint as the plaintiff.

According to officials from the port and customs authorities, the incident began on the night of 23 June when an Indian truck carrying a declared consignment of mustard oil cake entered Benapole Land Port. The shipment had been imported in the name of Messrs Araf Enterprise, an importing company based in Jhikargacha.

Records indicate that on 25 June the truck left for Shed No. 35 for unloading. Investigators allege that, instead of following the authorised unloading process, 50 sacks containing expensive sarees, three-piece dress materials and cosmetic products were secretly transferred from the Indian truck to a Bangladeshi truck in Yard No. 32.

The Indian vehicle later entered Yard No. 31 without obtaining permission from the port authorities, prompting officials to stop and inspect it.

Following a tip-off, Assistant Commissioner of Benapole Custom House Atal Goswami supervised a search of the truck. It was then taken to the transhipment yard for weighing, where officials discovered a discrepancy of 2,784 kilograms between the declared cargo weight and the actual load.

During the inspection, authorities seized 140 sacks of mustard oil cake along with 50 empty sacks. Police said the Indian truck driver managed to flee the scene before officers could detain him. However, the Bangladeshi truck involved in the alleged transfer, together with its driver, was seized and handed over to police for further investigation.

Investigators also suspect that the smuggling network unlawfully used the name of a clearing and forwarding (C&F) agent, Messrs Prottay International, during the operation. The company, however, has denied any involvement or knowledge of the alleged activities.

Separate investigations have since been launched by customs officials, the port authority and other relevant agencies to determine the full extent of the operation and identify any additional individuals involved.

Benapole Land Port Assistant Director Kazi Ratan said a review of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage provided evidence linking the accused to the incident.

According to him, the suspects allegedly facilitated the movement of the truck and the removal of goods without properly verifying gate passes or mandatory documentation. Acting on intelligence gathered during the investigation, officials later identified the Bangladeshi truck used in the alleged operation and detained both its driver and helper.

Kazi Ratan said the port authority maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards criminal activities.

“No individual involved in such offences will be spared,” he said. “The preliminary investigation found evidence of negligence among security personnel as well as the truck driver and others. Based on those findings, a case has been filed against 11 individuals. If further evidence emerges implicating additional people, they will also be brought under the case.”

Benapole Port Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ashraf Hossain confirmed that the case had been registered and said police had begun a formal investigation.

He stated that once the investigation is complete, legal action will be taken against those found responsible and a charge sheet will be submitted to the court.

The incident has also raised fresh concerns within the trading community about the effectiveness of security measures at Benapole, one of Bangladesh’s most important gateways for cross-border commerce with India.

Ziaur Rahman, General Secretary of the Benapole Import and Export Association, explained that every imported truck entering the port is ordinarily subjected to several layers of inspection. Vehicles are first searched by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), followed by joint weight verification conducted by customs and port authorities. They are then examined using advanced scanning equipment. In addition, around 375 CCTV cameras monitor activities across the port.

Despite these safeguards, he said, allegations persist that dishonest syndicates sometimes exploit collusion or gaps in monitoring to bring undeclared goods into the country through false declarations. Such practices not only deprive the government of substantial customs revenue but also undermine the integrity and security of one of the country’s busiest trade corridors.

Business leaders have also expressed concern over the pace of law enforcement. They noted that police have yet to arrest any suspects in three earlier smuggling cases filed by customs authorities during the current month. The lack of visible progress has fuelled doubts among legitimate traders about whether sufficient measures are being taken to curb organised smuggling and protect lawful import operations at the port.