Photo : Collected
Through a bill of entry under the control of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), the importer Queen’s Healthcare evaded Tk 6 crore 32 lakh in government duties by importing various items at the Chittagong Customs House. This duty evasion has been uncovered due to the vigilance of the Directorate of Customs Intelligence Investigation.
Minhaj Uddin, Additional Director General of the Directorate of Customs Intelligence Investigation, has confirmed the matter.
He said that it involved a single bill of entry, number 266621. Through this bill of entry, the importer Queen’s Healthcare imported lighting panels and hospital equipment through the Chittagong port. The consignment was examined by Mohammad Qawsar Alam Patwary, Deputy Commissioner of the Chittagong Customs House.
Additionally, physical examination was conducted by Dipanwita Dey Monisha (Valuation Section-6), Assistant Revenue Officer (Valuation Section-6) Sajib Talukdar, Assistant Revenue Officer Md Abu Naim, and Assistant Revenue Officer Swapan Kumar Roy, all from the Chittagong Customs House.
Furthermore, the valuation was done by Deputy Commissioner Anurupa Deb of the Chittagong Customs House. Revenue Officer Tuhin Chowdhury (Valuation Section-6) and Assistant Revenue Officer Faruk Ahmed (Section-6) also conducted the valuation. This massive duty evasion was orchestrated through the collusion of all these individuals.
According to customs intelligence sources, after examination and valuation, Tk 2 crore 63 lakh was collected as duty. After completing all the processes, an exit note was issued, and the consignment was loaded onto 10 trucks. At that point, based on confidential information, customs intelligence intercepted the trucks at the gate.
During the intelligence investigation, significant misrepresentation was found in the description and weight of the goods. Following a judicial order, the Chittagong Customs House recovered an additional Tk 2 crore 7 lakh in duty and imposed a penalty of Tk 4 crore 15 lakh on the importer. Additionally, another penalty of Tk 10 lakh was imposed. In total, due to the intervention of customs intelligence, an additional revenue of Tk 6 crore 32 lakh will be collected from this single consignment.
It is learned that in February, Queen’s Healthcare imported medical equipment of 28 different types from China. After the consignment arrived at the Chittagong port, the clearing agent C&F agency Surma Enterprise submitted the documents to the Chittagong Customs House. Due to the presence of false information and evidence of widespread irregularities during examination and valuation, customs intelligence and investigation directorate inspected the goods on March 14. Subsequently, more than 10 tonnes of undeclared goods were found. Customs intelligence considers such a large evasion through a single bill of entry as abnormal.
Customs officials claim that such major irregularities would not have been possible without the collusion of the two deputy commissioners and other officers of the Chittagong Customs House. Moreover, they suspect the possibility of significant financial transactions occurring in this case. Even after this incident, neither the Chittagong Customs House nor the NRB has taken any action against those involved in the irregularities. The customs intelligence has recommended seeking explanations from those involved in the examination and valuation process. However, the concerned authorities have not taken any action against anyone so far.
When contacted repeatedly to inquire about this matter, Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Qawsar Alam Patwary, the examining officer of the consignment, did not receive the calls or respond to the messages.
Regarding the overall issue, Minhaj Uddin said, “We have done our part. Recommendations have been made to the authorities to take action against those involved in such incidents. They will take the necessary measures.”
Messenger/Fameema
