Rangamati, Jan 18, (V7N) - In a joint operation by the Army and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), authorities have seized foreign cigarettes worth around Tk 15 lakh while being smuggled from the Indian border. On Saturday afternoon, the operation was conducted near the Bogapara Bridge on the Raghra-Kaptai Road, where seven bags of unclaimed cigarettes were recovered.
 
No one was found at the scene during the operation. A responsible official from the Rangamati BGB Sector confirmed the incident, stating that the cigarettes were recovered based on secret information during the raid.
 
The seized cigarettes included 16 cartons of 'Petton' and 8 cartons of 'Oris'. According to BGB authorities, the total value of the seized cigarettes is estimated to be approximately Tk 15 lakh.
 
The BGB has filed a case against unknown individuals, and necessary legal actions are being taken. The seized cigarettes will be handed over to Customs authorities for further action.
 
This seizure comes just a day after another similar incident. On Friday afternoon, police in Rangunia, Chattogram, seized foreign cigarettes worth Tk 15 lakh 68 thousand, Tk 900, including the same brands, 'Petton' and 'Oris,' which were being transported in a CNG auto-rickshaw towards Chattogram.
 
Reliable sources in Rangamati have informed the reporter, on the condition of anonymity, that illegal cigarettes are often brought by engine boats to various locations near Kaptai Lake during late nights and stored in houses by smuggling syndicates. These cigarettes are then transported in various vehicles, including auto-rickshaws, cargo trucks, vans, fish transporters, and vehicles carrying seasonal goods, biscuits, or powdered milk, for smuggling from Rangamati to Chattagram.
 
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