Business Desk :
No one is there to ensure proper security at Mongla, the country’s second-largest seaport. Miscreants here loot goods vehicles in broad daylight. The port’s main gate lies broken to help thieves sneak goods every now and then.
Security posts are also empty. Outsiders enter the port area through the gate. Thousands of cars lie uncared for in the open. This telltale picture of the port area came to the spotlight during an investigation by Bangladesh Protidin.
Sources said those engaged in ensuring security to the port are playing the role of predators. They cooperate with miscreants to plunder goods from the port area in broad daylight.
A segment of the security force of the port, officials and employees, customs officials and employees and private security force of the businessmen has built up a giant syndicate of smugglers in the area.
It is alleged that the members of the syndicate are controlling Mongla Port.
M Shafiuzzaman, joint commissioner of Mongla Customs House, brought to the fore an avalanche of irregularities in the port.
“Mongla Customs House has found manifold HS code-related irregularities on import documents. However, the customs house didn’t keep any record of smuggled goods and the items imported through false declarations.”
Of the total 270 C&F agents of the port, Shafiuzzaman said, some 35 C&F agents are active. It is not possible to closely monitor port activities because Mongla Port is far away from the customs house.
The on-the-spot investigation found that Mongla Port is held hostage by five syndicates of smugglers. Some officials of the administration also are playing the role of aides of shady businessmen in doing their sharp practice in the port.
The port has virtually been turned into a free zone of smuggling. Port sources said smugglers of any category have to enlist their names on five parties-cutting party, bazaar party, night party, ferry party and oil party-before joining the smugglers’ syndicates.
The neo-smugglers must give monthly donations to law-enforcement agencies to carry out their illegal businesses. Members of many law-enforcement agencies were involved in collecting the money from the said party men.
Cutting party, the strongest of all smuggling groups, in the port has over 100 active members. They smuggle rice, wheat, cement, fertiliser, machinery and jute goods from foreign ships and barges at cargo port and government warehouse.
Sources said two police cashiers collect Tk 5-6 lakh donations from the group per month.
There are about 25 active members in the night party. They collect tolls from foreign sailors. They are used to loot valuables from foreign ships.
Bazaar-party members were involved in smuggling beer, whisky and foreign liquor. Members of the party also sell liquor, electrical as well as cosmetic products in the port area every day.
Members of oil party pilfer fuel oils and lubricants from local and foreign ships. Allegations have it that police collect Tk 15 lakh per month from the group.
