Imran smuggled huge sums through Brahman cattle imports: CID

At a press conference held on Tuesday at CID headquarters in Malibagh, Additional Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ekramul Habib stated that Imran was involved in illegally importing Brahman cattle, a breed banned in Bangladesh. These cattle were allegedly smuggled through the Teknaf and Ukhiya borders from Thailand and Myanmar, as well as small-sized Bhutti cattle from Bhutan and Nepal. He then sold these at inflated prices in local markets.  

CID’s preliminary investigation suggests that Imran acquired over Tk 133 crore through smuggling, fraud, and deceit. 

He was arrested in Malibagh on Monday in connection with a money laundering case. The investigation revealed that Imran misrepresented local cattle and goats as high-breed foreign livestock and sold them at exorbitant prices, particularly during the Eid-ul-Adha livestock markets. Authorities found that he transferred Tk 121.32 crore through various bank accounts and invested Tk 11.36 crore as Fixed Deposit Receipts (FDRs) under his company, Jalalabad Metal Limited.  

Following the discovery of money laundering evidence, CID filed a case on Monday at Mohammadpur Police Station against Imran Hossain, Sadeeq Agro’s Managing Director Touhidul Alam, and 5-7 unidentified individuals. They are accused of transferring, converting, and laundering Tk 133.55 crore through organized crime.  

Imran Hossain and Sadeeq Agro first gained attention during last year’s Eid-ul-Adha when a viral social media post showed Mushfiqur Rahman, son of former NBR member Matiur Rahman, purchasing a so-called high-breed goat for Tk 15 lakh from Sadeeq Agro. Additionally, Sadeeq Agro illegally imported 18 Brahman cattle, which were seized at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by Customs. However, in a controversial move, the Department of Livestock later returned the cattle to Sadeeq Agro.  

Authorities continue their investigation, and further legal actions are expected.