Customs authorities at Chattogram’s Shah Amanat International Airport have seized a large consignment of cigarettes and banned cosmetics worth approximately Tk 18.6 lakh following a targeted inspection of passenger baggage on arrival from Abu Dhabi.
The joint operation, conducted by airport customs officials and customs intelligence personnel, took place at around 11:45 pm on Friday (3 April) after a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight (BG-128) landed at the airport. Three passengers were subsequently detained after suspicious consignments were identified during baggage screening.
According to customs sources, the seized items included 930 cartons of cigarettes along with 60 pieces of a prohibited cosmetic product known as “Gauri Cream,” which is restricted for import under existing national regulations. Authorities confirmed that all items were concealed within passenger luggage in an attempt to bypass customs declaration procedures.
The estimated market value of the seized goods has been assessed at approximately Tk 18,60,000.
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Details of seized goods
| Category | Quantity | Estimated Value (Tk) |
|---|---|---|
| Cigarettes | 930 cartons | Included in total |
| Gauri Cream (banned item) | 60 pieces | Included in total |
| Total Estimated Value | — | 18,60,000 |
The detained passengers are reported to be residents of Debidwar in Cumilla district, though their full identities have not been officially disclosed at this stage of the investigation. Customs officials stated that after preliminary questioning and formal documentation, the individuals were released following verbal warnings.
Authorities, however, confirmed that the investigation into the attempted smuggling operation remains ongoing, particularly to determine whether the passengers were acting independently or as part of a wider trafficking network.
Customs vigilance intensified
Speaking on the operation, officials at Shah Amanat International Airport emphasised that surveillance measures have been significantly strengthened in recent months in response to repeated attempts to smuggle restricted goods through passenger channels.
A senior customs official noted that smugglers often exploit returning passengers to transport high-demand goods such as cigarettes and unregulated cosmetic products, which can evade duty and regulatory scrutiny if not properly inspected.
The official stressed that coordinated intelligence-led inspections have become a key strategy in identifying and intercepting such attempts before goods enter domestic markets.
Airport authority response
Shah Amanat International Airport’s public relations officer, Engineer Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil, confirmed the seizure and reiterated the airport’s commitment to preventing illegal imports and protecting state revenue.
He stated that enhanced monitoring systems and tighter baggage screening protocols are being implemented to curb the entry of prohibited and undeclared goods.
“We are strengthening surveillance across all arrival points to prevent the smuggling of restricted products and ensure that customs regulations are strictly enforced,” he said.
Broader concerns over smuggling trends
Customs officials have repeatedly warned that small-scale smuggling via air passengers continues to pose a significant challenge, particularly on routes originating from the Middle East. Products such as cigarettes, luxury cosmetics, electronics, and pharmaceuticals are frequently targeted due to their high domestic market value.
Authorities believe that sustained enforcement, combined with intelligence sharing and passenger profiling, will be essential in reducing such incidents.
The latest seizure at Shah Amanat Airport adds to a growing list of recent interceptions, highlighting ongoing efforts by customs intelligence to tighten control over illegal cross-border trade through Bangladesh’s aviation gateways.