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73 tonnes of bonded paper seized in Old Dhaka
Published : Saturday, 29 August, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Observer staff correspondent
File Photo
Customs officials have seized around 73 tonnes of duplex board from nine trucks and another truck carrying unidentified goods in Old Dhaka’s Naya Bazar area, suspecting an attempt to sell the bonded goods in the open market.
The trucks were carrying duty-free imported goods meant for a bonded factory in Khulna but allegedly deviated from their designated route and entered Naya Bazar, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) said in a press release on Saturday.
The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) conducted the operation late on Friday night following a tip-off.
The goods were imported from India’s Mehali Papers Pvt Ltd for Sri Flexopack Ltd, a bonded company based in Teligati, Khulna. M.A. Azad & Co. Ltd was the C&F agent and Delta Transport Service was the carrier.
According to customs officials, the normal route from Chattogram to Khulna is through Kanchpur, Signboard, Postogola, Mawa Expressway and Padma Bridge. Naya Bazar, Ray Saheb Bazar and Tantibazar are outside this route and are major wholesale trading areas.
A team led by the Additional Director General-1 of CIID took positions at different points after receiving the intelligence. RAB-10 and the Lalbagh division of police also assisted the operation.
Officials said a convoy of 10 trucks noticed the presence of customs officers while heading towards Naya Bazar. One truck fled the scene and efforts are under way to trace it.
Another truck was found already in Naya Bazar, allegedly preparing to unload the goods for sale. Customs officials subsequently took 10 trucks under their control.
The authority has found preliminary information about a wholesale shop where the bonded paper was allegedly to be sold. The name of the shop and those involved has not been disclosed for the sake of the investigation.
Investigators are checking the import and transport documents, bond licences, truck ownership and the roles of the importer, C&F agent, carrier and possible buyers.
Under the bonded facility, duty-free raw materials must be used at approved factories or warehouses. Unauthorised sale, transfer or unloading may breach customs rules.
CIID said legal action will follow if the investigation finds evidence of misuse, illegal unloading or open-market sales. Efforts to trace the escaped truck and others involved are continuing.
-HIS
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Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
