Customs seize 300 auto-bike batteries in Syedpur raid
Photo: Agamir Somoy
A total of 300 pieces of auto-bike batteries have been seized in Syedpur, Nilphamari at 5:30 pm on Wednesday.
Customs Revenue Officer Shahabuddin Majumdar confirmed the matter. Authorities seized the batteries from in front of the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) building on the Syedpur -Parbatipur Road and took them into their custody.
Initially, locals, including motor workers, caught the truck based on information that it contained narcotics. The driver said the truck was carrying auto-rickshaw batteries destined for Beauty Cycle Store in Syedpur city.
When the people demanded to see the invoice, they discovered that the batteries had been purchased from Juawonju Enterprise in Narayanganj. The invoice named Sajjad Cycle Store as the recipient.
However, no business by that name exists in Syedpur city. Becoming suspicious, the crowd informed the police. Although the police arrived at the scene, they attempted to release the goods, saying they were not illegal.
However, those present informed the customs authorities. Upon arrival, they demanded that the owner of the goods present themselves based on the invoice. Despite phone calls by the truck driver, no owner appeared, leading the customs officials to take the truck to the Syedpur Police Station.
After unloading and counting all the batteries, they loaded them back onto the truck to transport them to the Rangpur Customs warehouse for storage.
Shahabuddin said, “There are 300 pieces, meaning 150 sets, of batteries of various sizes in the truck. Since their owner was not present, we are seizing and taking them away. Later, if a claimant comes with proper documents, the goods will be handed over.
“And in this case, information regarding tax or VAT evasion will be verified. If found to be true, a case will be filed. However, no owner or proper authority has been found so far.”
Beauty Cycle Store Owner Altaf Hossain noted, “Actually, the batteries belong to my nephew Sajjad Hossain. He is not in Syedpur at this moment; once he returns, he will submit the income tax and VAT documents and retrieve the goods.”
Syedpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Rezaul Karim Reza added that customs will make the final decision.
