The authorities have sealed an AB Tobacco factory in Shahjahanpur of Bogura following a raid by the Directorate of Consumer Rights Protection and Bogura District Customs.
The factory was involved in producing counterfeit cigarettes, leading to the seizure of 100,000 fake cigarette packs on 12 September.
During the raid, authorities confiscated 60,000 packs of counterfeit Derby cigarettes, 40,000 packs of Lord’s cigarettes, and 50,000 empty packets of cigarette.
The factory was subsequently sealed due to tax evasion and illegal production, according to Mehdi Hasan, Assistant Director of the Directorate of Consumer Rights Protection in Bogura.
Shahjahanpur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mausia Tabassum was also present during the operation.
AB Tobacco has a history of producing fake versions of both domestic and international brands, including cigarettes marketed by British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB) such as Benson, Gold Leaf, and Derby.
These illegal activities have led to significant government revenue loss and pose a serious public health risk.
This is not the first time the company has been targeted. Despite numerous raids and arrests of AB Tobacco officials, the company continues to operate illegally across several regions, including Pabna and Ishwardi.
Although authorities have previously closed down their operations, factories often reopen after brief shutdowns, with local residents confirming the recurrent production of counterfeit cigarettes.
AB Tobacco’s ongoing evasion of law enforcement highlights the challenges authorities face in curbing illegal cigarette production.
