Nothing suspicious found in 150 locked containers at Ctg port

Nothing suspicious has so far been found in the 150 consignments blocked at the Chittagong Port.

The Customs authorities kept these 150 containers under lock and watch following the largest liquor shipment was seized in the last week of the last month.

On the basis of secret information and ‍suspicious activities, the Customs House kept those containers locked in a computerized delivery process. Later some of which were cleared by the importers concerned and C&F agents.

Dr Abu Noor Rashed Ahmad, Additional Commissioner of the Chittagong Customs House, said no irregularity was found in those containers and they were being released after verifications.

In the next 15-20 days, we will get a complete idea about all the containers, he said.

According to customs sources, most of the 150 containers seized were from C&F agents, and importers of the previously seized liquor containers.

The containers were locked in the ASYCUDA World system of customs. They were being released after 100 per cent physical investigation.

Out of which bill of entry of 40 containers was submitted by C&F agent Zafar Ahmad. This C&F agent submitted the bill of entry for two of the five containers seized before.

Chittagong Custom House filed five cases in connection with the seizure of five liquor containers from Chittagong Port and Narayanganj from July 23 to 28.

Several accused in the cases are foreign nationals, mainly Chinese citizens and officials of industries in the export processing zones, across the country.

To investigate the matter of the incident of seizure of five containers of liquor, a high-level inquiry committee was formed as the Customs termed it a major fraud case where Customs’ online system ASYCUD WORLD was hacked and fake container scanning certificates were created.

Information about the criminal circle can be revealed in the investigation of this incident, said Abu Nur Rashed Chowdhury, the head of the Investigation Committee.

“We have called the accused and held several hearings and some others have been asked to be present before the investigation committee.

He also said the type of crime and the way criminal gangs brought the consignments was completely different from that of the organized crimes in the past.

It involves some sensitive matters which will be revealed in the investigation.

The Chittagong Customs House has proposed a task force to the National Board of Revenue to inspect or seize such consignments.