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Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) officials have detected a consignment at Chattogram Port containing about 8.25 tonnes of tobacco or tobacco-like materials, including powder-like substances, allegedly imported using the identity of a business that denies any involvement.
The goods were detected during a physical examination on September 27 after officials found discrepancies between the declared and actual contents of two consignments, according to a CIID press release.
One House Bill of Lading (B/L), No. ISLCCU2627CGP095, declared 473 packages weighing 8,974 kg as “Pan Masala and Zarda (Chewing tobacco product)”. Physical inspection found 470 packages containing 8,250.4 kg of tobacco or tobacco-like materials.
The consignment included 7,325.4 kg of dark-brown materials, 527 kg of brown materials, 273 kg of grey materials and 125 kg of white materials.
CIID said some of the materials appeared externally to resemble narcotic substances. However, laboratory and chemical tests are required to determine whether they contain any narcotic, prohibited or controlled substances.
A second House B/L, No. ISLCCU2627CGP096, declared 1,570 packages weighing 9,859.6 kg as “Printed Paper Catalogue”. Examination found the same number of packages but weighing 9,263 kg, which officials identified as suspected scrap paper.
Together, the two consignments contained 2,040 packages weighing about 17.51 tonnes, including 8.25 tonnes of tobacco or tobacco-like materials and 9.26 tonnes of suspected scrap paper.
The consignments arrived from Kolkata aboard MV Uddipon Express under Manifest No. 4524/2026 and Voyage No. 011. The vessel left Kolkata on September 20 and reached Chattogram Port on September 22. Both House B/Ls were issued under Master B/L No. 301174347.
Customs documents identified Authoy Enterprise as the importer/consignee. However, the firm’s proprietor reportedly told authorities in writing that neither he nor his business had any knowledge of or involvement in the import.
He alleged that an unscrupulous group may have used the company’s name and import-related information to bring in the goods.
CIID is investigating the discrepancies in the declarations, the use of the business identity and the actual nature of the materials. Further action will depend on the investigation and laboratory test results.