BMW seized in Ctg over alleged false declaration

Customs intelligence officials have seized a BMW in Chattogram over allegations that it was imported through a false declaration to evade customs duties.

The vehicle was seized from Sattar Manzil in the Rahmatganj area of Chattogram around noon on Thursday, according to the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID).

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CIID Officials said at a press briefing that, acting on credible intelligence, a preventive team conducted a raid and seized the vehicle.

According to customs intelligence officials, they have recently detected a method of importing complete luxury vehicles through Mongla Port by declaring them as used car parts.

Under the method, the vehicles are allegedly cut into only three or four large sections and imported in semi-knocked-down (SKD) condition to evade customs duties.

As the current owner is currently abroad, officials asked his wife to produce documents related to the purchase and import of the vehicle.

However, she could not provide any documents or information to the customs intelligence officials.

Officials said they repeatedly asked for the vehicle's keys, but she refused to hand them over.

The vehicle was subsequently seized after she failed to produce any import documents or purchase records and declined to provide the keys.

Rejvi Ahmed, additional director general of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate, said, “The vehicle was brought into the country through a false declaration to evade customs duties.

“After a detailed investigation, the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate will take legal action in accordance with the law.”