1,128 cartons of foreign cigarettes, banned creams seized at Ctg airport

Customs and intelligence officials at Chattogram's Shah Amanat International Airport seized 1,128 cartons of foreign cigarettes and banned beauty cream products from three passengers arriving from Sharjah yesterday night (13 May).

The drive was carried out around 8:15pm at the international arrival hall by officials from the National Security Intelligence (NSI), airport customs, and Customs Intelligence following the arrival of an Air Arabia flight from Sharjah.

According to a press release from airport authorities, separate baggage searches of three passengers travelling on Flight G9-520 led to the recovery of 1,128 cartons of Mond cigarettes and 200 pieces of prohibited beauty creams.

The passengers were identified as Selim Ullah of Chakaria in Cox's Bazar, Md Rayhan Uddin of Hatiya in Noakhali, and Md Mansurul Alam of Patiya in Chattogram.

Officials said the seized cigarettes involved an estimated revenue of Tk22.56 lakh.

The confiscated goods were seized under departmental memorandum procedures and placed under the custody of Chattogram Custom House, the statement said.

The three passengers were later released after receiving verbal warnings from Customs Intelligence and airport customs officials.

Authorities said monitoring and surveillance at the airport would remain strengthened to prevent smuggling of prohibited goods and revenue evasion.