Three Arrested for Smuggling Goods as Relief Funds

A significant controversy has emerged at the Benapole Customs House after an attempt was made to smuggle high-duty Indian goods, valued at over 10 million Taka, under the pretext of transporting supplies to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) intercepted a covered van laden with the contraband, triggering an investigation that exposed the alleged involvement of customs personnel. Consequently, two Assistant Revenue Officers (AROs) and three Sepoys have been suspended from their duties.

The impounded items consisted of seized and confiscated Indian goods accumulated over time from the border areas and passenger luggage at the Benapole International Checkpost, which were stored in the customs warehouse. These items were officially approved for transfer to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. Allegations indicate that an organised syndicate exploited this humanitarian process to illicitly extract high-duty commercial merchandise from the secure facility.

Acting on a confidential tip, personnel from the Benapole BGB Company launched an operation at approximately 3:00 am on Monday, 22 June. During the raid in the Benapole Bazar area, authorities intercepted a covered van bearing the registration number Dhaka Metro-To 24-5621. A subsequent search revealed a massive haul of Indian products. Three individuals were detained at the scene: Assistant Revenue Officer Shri Indrajit Mukherjee (38), the van driver Mohammad Mohsin Ali (34), and the helper Mohammad Zahid Hasan (21).

Investigative sources confirmed that the seized consignment contained high-duty Indian sarees, three-piece dress materials, branded cosmetics, and banned Indian medicines. While the exact quantity and final seizure evaluation are ongoing, the initial market value of the goods is estimated to be approximately 11.5 million Taka.

Lieutenant Colonel Golam Mohammad Saiful Alam Khan, Commanding Officer of the Jessore-49 BGB Battalion, confirmed the details of the operation. He stated that the processing of the legal case is underway alongside the formal inventory assessment.

The incident has caused widespread outrage within the local business community. Imdadul Haque Lota, General Secretary of the Benapole C&F Agents Association, described the misuse of a state relief initiative as an exceptionally grave offence and called for an impartial inquiry to safeguard the port’s reputation. Similarly, C&F businessman Habibur Rahman Hobi emphasised that this event reflects a broader pattern of systemic irregularities at the port rather than an isolated occurrence.

This case adds to a succession of recent security breaches at Benapole. Investigations are already active regarding the disappearance of seized Indian goods worth 60 million Taka from Shed 37, the theft of 25 tonnes of imported cargo from Shed 41, and a prior seizure of unmanifested cosmetics and sarees worth 15 million Taka from Shed 26.

Responding to the crisis, Mohammad Fyzur Rahman, Commissioner of Benapole Customs House, affirmed a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption. He stated that the department has implemented immediate suspensions and initiated a comprehensive departmental inquiry, promising strict administrative and statutory actions against all complicit personnel.