Rangamati, Oct 08 (V7N) – Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has seized 18,890 packets of allegedly smuggled cigarettes from a dump truck in Rangunia of Chattogram and detained two people in connection with the consignment.
The cigarettes, valued at approximately Tk 83 lakh 3 thousand 400, were seized during a raid in the Eco Park area along the Chattogram-Kaptai Road early Wednesday, according to BGB.
The operation was conducted around 4am on October 7 based on intelligence information, said Kaptai Battalion (41 BGB).
BGB personnel searched the dump truck and recovered 17,090 packets of Patron cigarettes and 1,800 packets of Oris cigarettes. The truck was also seized.
The detained individuals were Touhidul Islam, 21, son of Nazim Uddin of Nishchitpur village, and Sahedur Islam Nayan, 22, son of the late Mohammad Ali of Shilok village in Rangunia.
According to BGB, the cigarettes had allegedly been brought from a border area, transported across Kaptai Lake and then moved along the Kaptai-Chattogram Road.
The seizure highlights the use of interconnected water and road routes for transporting smuggled goods in the region. BGB said intelligence surveillance and patrols have been strengthened along the border and adjacent roads to prevent such activities.
Lieutenant Colonel Kawsar Mehedi, commander of Kaptai Battalion (41 BGB), said anti-smuggling operations would continue alongside border security and intelligence activities.
The detained individuals, cigarettes and dump truck were handed over to Rangunia Police Station for legal action, according to BGB.
The investigation is expected to determine the source and intended destination of the consignment and whether others were involved in the alleged smuggling operation.
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