Rangamati, Dec 04 (V7N) — Taking advantage of the ongoing instability in the country, smuggling syndicates are actively trading illegal cigarettes and other prohibited goods through border areas in Rangamati, including Jurachhari, Baghaichhari, and Barkal. The syndicates are reportedly smuggling items such as duty-free foreign cigarettes, tea leaves, sugar, and milk powder from neighboring India into Bangladesh.

On Tuesday morning, a joint force intercepted a fish-laden truck based on intelligence reports and discovered 37 cartons of "Oris" brand and 4 cartons of "Mond" brand duty-free cigarettes, valued at approximately Tk 33 lakh. The contraband was confiscated and handed over to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Sector Headquarters in Rangamati.

In a separate operation, Rangamati District Police's Detective Branch (DB) arrested Salauddin alias Ershad with 725 cartons of Mond brand cigarettes, worth an estimated Tk 6 lakh, in the Sawtal Pahar area on Sunday night. A regular case has been filed in this regard.

Smuggling activities extend beyond cigarettes:

  • Bangladeshi Garlic: On Sunday, BGB personnel intercepted a boat near the GP check post in Harina, Barkal, seizing 400 kg of Bangladeshi garlic worth about Tk 88,000.
  • Illegal Teak Wood: On November 28, a raid in Hajachhara, Sublong, led to the confiscation of 155 cubic feet of teak wood, valued at Tk 3 lakh, which was handed over to the Forest Customs Outpost.

Smuggling gangs employ creative methods to evade detection, including transporting illegal goods in vehicles carrying fish, seasonal fruits, or raw materials. Local sources reveal that smugglers are renting houses in Rangamati's Reserve Bazar, Tabalchhari, and College Gate areas under the guise of legitimate businesses.

An influential businessman from Reserve Bazar is allegedly using a fish trading operation as a cover for smuggling cigarettes to Chittagong and Dhaka, with investments exceeding Tk 4 crore. Similarly, another individual from Baghaichhari has rented a house in Rangamati to run a similar racket under the pretense of dealing in raw materials.

While security forces have successfully conducted several operations, locals claim the smuggling network is deeply entrenched. The recent seizures underscore the need for more rigorous enforcement and intelligence operations to dismantle these syndicates.

The authorities have vowed to increase surveillance and enforcement to curb these illegal activities and safeguard the region's stability.

END/AM/AJ