Benapole, Correspondent :
Customs officials have seized a “Cotton” consignment worth Tk 7 crore alone with pesticides from cotton trucks imported from India through Benapole port on Sunday night.
The consignment was seized from the Indian truck terminal at the port.
According to a press release issued by Benapole Customs House, Dhaka-based importer Maxons Spinning Mills Ltd imported cotton consignment from India. Whose customs manifest no. 2292/16. The consignment was imported with 18 trucks.
The exporter is Rotus Dressesfas Company Ltd. of Kolkata.
Abdur Rashid Mia, Joint Commissioner-1, seized the Indian truck numbered WB-51-5436 on the instructions of Commissioner Abdul Aziz after receiving information from a secret source after the shipment had entered the port.
The shipment was later inspected by IRM Deputy Commissioner Anupam Chakma and seized pesticide, tobacco and vegetable seeds were found.
Benapole C&F Agents Association President Mofizur Rahmana Sajan said, An external smuggling ring has loaded these products into Indian cotton trucks. Only Indian truck drivers have to take this responsibility. Importers and C&F agents were not involved in the incident.
Abdur Rashid Mia Janan, Joint Commissioner, Benapole Customs House, Customs has always pursued a trade facilitation policy for legitimate importers through the port of Benapole. But in the case of illegal importers, work is being done following the zero tolerance policy. Customs has filed a departmental case over the incident.
According to The Customs Agents Licensing Rules 2002, the license was temporarily suspended.
