UNB, Khulna :
Huge amount of garlic imported from China is being smuggled out to India daily through different border points of the south-western region as the cooking ingredient has seen its increasing demand in the markets of the neighbouring country in recent time.
A number of sources, wishing anonymity, said smugglers’ gangs in collusion with some members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) are sending garlic to India in illegal ways through different lands ports, including the one in Satkhira.
The imported garlic just after being released at Chittagong port goes to the neighboring country through unapproved routes.
Many people, including women and children, of different villages, especially the bordering ones, in Satkhira district are engaged in smuggling of the garlic causing heave losses to the government.
Al Ferdous Alfa, proprietor of Messer’s Ashik Enterprise, CAF agent of Bhomra land port, said about 1,000 tonnes of garlic are imported daily through Chittagong port, adding that several firms, including his one, clear garlic imported from China at the main sea port on behalf of the importers.
The businessman said about 70-80 tonnes of garlic are imported from India through Bhomra land port daily and added that the price of one kg Indian garlic stands at Tk 35-38 while price of per kg Chinese garlic is Tk69-70.
Purchasing garlic at Tk 75-76 per kg from traders of big markets in Satkhira, smugglers send the bought spice to India in illegal ways, where it sells at Tk91-92 a kg.
On his way to Bhomra land port from Alipur check post, the UNB correspondent found many men, women and children standing on both sides of the roads at least at 15 intersections, including Dhonger Bazar, Mamudpur and Gangnia Bridge with sacks of Chinese garlic.
Some people were also found carrying sacks full of garlic to the border by engine-run vans and bicycles.
Hasu Bibi of Gangniah village, Jalaluddin of Mahmudpur and Ansar Ali of Kolapota village said they smuggled some sacks of garlic to India through Ghoshpara and Lakhidari border points of the district as the China grown spice has become popular among the Indian people.
The three said in exchange for money, BGB officials allow them to continue smuggling of the item.
For transporting one maund (40 kgs) of garlic to Bhomra land port from Satkhira, they have to give about Tk140-150 to patrolling BGB members at check posts.
At times, BGB members posted at different check posts, including those of Shakhra, Ghona and Gazipur, detain the garlic brought on border despite taking bribe.
The three said they can earn profit of Tk 450 sending 40 kg garlic to India apparently in illegal ways.
Thus, they can earn Tk 300-3000 daily smuggling three to four maunds of garlic to India.
Driven by greed, many people are now being involved in garlic smuggling. Local sources said smugglers send over 10 tonnes of Chinese garlic to India managing the BGB and Intelligence Forces.
Contacted, acting commanding officer of BGB 38 Battalion in Satkhira Major Naziruddin Bakshi denied the allegation of the border guards’ assistance in garlic smuggling.
He said they remain vigilant about any kind of smuggling.
