The customs intelligence officers on Monday seized a massive haul of 1,802 cartons of foreign cigarettes and 13 iPhones from a single flight arriving from Dubai at Shah Amanat International Airport.
The combined value of the seized contraband, including steep import duties and taxes, is estimated at Tk5,53,70,390.
Acting on a confidential tip-off received by Director General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID), officials launched a coordinated sting operation targeting Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG148.
The aircraft landed at Shah Amanat International Airport at 8:18am, prompting immediate and intense surveillance of passengers and their baggage.
During the drive, customs officials intercepted passenger MD Moinul Abdin and seized 264 cartons of cigarettes, including 249 cartons of Platinum brand and 15 cartons of Mond brand, along with four iPhones.
Another passenger, Abdul Mannan, was found carrying 246 cartons of cigarettes, consisting of 233 cartons of Platinum and 13 cartons of Mond, as well as four iPhones.
A third passenger, Nurul Alam Riyad, was caught in possession of 272 cartons of cigarettes, which included 265 cartons of Platinum and seven cartons of Eassy, alongside five iPhones.
The largest recovery of the drive, however, occurred at baggage belt number 2, where customs officials discovered and seized an additional 1,020 cartons of Platinum cigarettes from unclaimed luggage belonging to the same flight.
According to the CIID, the estimated market value of the seized cigarettes is Tk74,08,000, with applicable duties and taxes at a 621 per cent Total Tax Incidence (TTI) amounting to Tk4,60,03,680.
Meanwhile, the market value of the 13 iPhones is estimated at Tk12,35,000, with 58 per cent TTI translating to Tk7,23,710 in duties and taxes.
Authorities are viewing the simultaneous smuggling attempt across multiple passengers and abandoned luggage on a single flight with high importance.
The CIID has stated that its intelligence surveillance and airport operations will be further intensified to dismantle organised smuggling syndicates, safeguard national revenue, and prevent the illegal entry of contraband into the country.
