In a major anti-smuggling operation, illegal Indian cigarettes worth over Tk1.02 crore were seized in Rangamati on Sunday during a joint raid conducted by Bangladesh Army and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
During the raid, they arrested one smuggler.
The joint Army-BGB team, led by Warrant Officer Md. Anwar Hossain, carried out the raid on Sunday (September 8) in the Tabalchari area of Rangamati city.
The suspect, Abdur Sattar alias Taher, was apprehended and later interrogated, leading to the recovery of 45,000 packets of Oris and 6,000 packets of Omega cigarettes from an abandoned house.
The seized items, valued at Tk1.02 crore, were handed over to the BGB Sector HQ representative in Rangamati.
Investigations revealed that these duty-free Indian cigarettes, including brands like Moon, Silver, Oris, and Omega, were smuggled across the Durgham Harina and Jurachhari borders in Rangamati district.
The contraband was then transported using courier services, auto-rickshaws, and pickup vans to Chattogram. Burmese boats were used to smuggle the cigarettes into the Subolong area of Kaptai Lake, from where smaller boats distributed them further.
Authorities uncovered a sophisticated smuggling operation that involved disguising the cigarettes as damaged cosmetic goods. The smugglers used fake memos and ID cards from cosmetic shops, packaging the cigarettes in tissue paper cartons to avoid detection.
Local sources suggest that inadequate law enforcement in the region has allowed smuggling syndicates to operate freely. Goods, including duty-free cigarettes, are regularly brought into Rangamati from the Indian borders at Barkal and Jurachhari. Approximately 15 individuals are reportedly involved in the smuggling ring, which facilitates the smuggling of Indian goods, including cigarettes, into Chattogram.
It is alleged that the syndicate has raised around Tk 5 million to bribe local authorities and secure protection for their illegal activities.
Rangamati Additional Superintendent of Police Maruf Ahmed said, "We are aware of the increasing activities of illegal smugglers. We have strengthened security at all check posts and issued strict orders to our police stations to take decisive action against smuggling and illegal trade."
BGB sector in Rangamati reported that, over the past two months, they have conducted multiple operations and seized cigarettes worth approximately Tk 76 lakh.
