Seized Goods Stolen Despite 418 CC Cameras

Goods imported through false declarations were seized and kept in warehouses at Benapole Land Port. An organized syndicate has been accused of stealing these goods from the warehouses and selling them outside. Names of port authority officials and employees, warehouse workers, and C&F (Clearing and Forwarding) agents have surfaced in multiple customs cases.

Recently, customs authorities filed a case with Benapole Port Police Station, naming 11 people as accused, including port officials. The allegation states that sacks of seized goods kept in the customs warehouse were opened in the dead of night, and the items were taken out and sold outside.

Sources at Benapole Customs House say that from January to June of this year, 130 cases of theft and fraud have been filed at the country's largest land port. Licenses of several C&F establishments have also been revoked over their alleged involvement in these incidents.

Although there are 418 CC cameras at the port, traders complain that theft and fraud have not stopped. Customs, however, claims that incidents which used to remain hidden are now being brought to light, which is why the number of theft cases appears to be higher.

All warehouses and yards at Benapole Port are managed by the port authority. There is a separate customs warehouse for storing seized goods.

On June 22, seized goods were taken out of the warehouse in a covered van, claiming they were being sent to the Chief Adviser's Relief Fund. When the necessary documents could not be produced, members of the 49 BGB Battalion stopped the vehicle in the Benapole market area.

Later, the van was seized, and Assistant Revenue Officer Indrajit, along with the driver and his assistant, were detained. A case was filed at Benapole Port Police Station over the incident. Indian sarees, three-pieces, and banned drugs were found in the van. Following the incident, two assistant revenue officers and three customs constables were temporarily suspended in the interest of the investigation.
Benapole Customs Commissioner Mohammad Faizur Rahman said a departmental inquiry is underway. If the investigation finds anyone involved in the theft of seized goods, criminal cases and full departmental action will be taken against them.

In another incident, an importing firm named Huda International declared 100 packets of baking powder. However, during multiple customs inspections from March 12 to June 2, officials found 108 packets containing sarees, three-pieces, children's clothing, and cosmetics instead.

The goods were seized and placed in Warehouse No. 37, but later it was discovered that they had vanished. Over this incident, customs filed a case on June 9 against 11 people, including three warehouse superintendents and one traffic inspector from the port authority.

Earlier, between May 16 and 21, automobile parts imported by Jahangir Enterprise went missing from Warehouse No. 41. In a case filed on June 14 over that incident, warehouse workers, C&F agents, and 8–10 unidentified individuals were named as accused.

The owner of Huda International, Anisur Rahman, said, "I live in Dhaka. Employees handle the day-to-day operations of the business. All I know is that customs has temporarily suspended my license."

An analysis of five recent FIRs shows that employees from both the port authority and the customs house have been accused of involvement in theft and smuggling.

So far, two customs officials are in jail in two separate cases. Additionally, two assistant revenue officers and three customs constables have been temporarily suspended after preliminary evidence implicated them.

The cases also mention the involvement of port officials, warehouse staff, and C&F agents.

Syed Ahmed Rubel, Joint Commissioner of Benapole Customs House, said, "We are following a zero-tolerance policy on theft. Evidence has been found against some warehouse maintenance employees under the port authority. Multiple criminal cases have been filed against them."

Benapole Port Director Md. Shamim Hossain said security has been tightened to prevent theft. "Such incidents used to happen before as well, but they didn't make the news. Now we are disclosing them ourselves, so it seems like theft has increased, but in reality, it hasn't."

He added, "There is no denying that a strong syndicate operates inside the port. It may involve political figures, businessmen, C&F agents, and even some officials. However, no one will be spared if proven guilty."

Despite the presence of 418 CC cameras, investigators complain that obtaining the necessary video footage remains a major obstacle.

Commissioner Faizur Rahman alleged that even after formal requests, the required CC camera footage is often not provided by the port authority.

Port Director Shamim Hossain responded, "The port authority has no objection to providing footage. However, the surveillance system is operated by a third party. They need specific dates and times for the footage. Due to technical reasons, it sometimes takes time to retrieve the data."

Business leaders have alleged that due to a lack of coordination between customs and the port authority, theft and fraud continue unabated, costing the government hundreds of crores of taka in lost revenue.

Aminul Haque, Vice-President of the Benapole Import-Export Association, said, "The trend of importing goods through false declarations and then having the seized goods disappear is now a major concern. This is causing the government to lose hundreds of crores of taka in revenue."