Customs Seize Cigarettes Worth Over Tk 3 Million from Four Passengers at Chattogram Airport

In a significant seizure at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram, customs officials intercepted a large quantity of cigarettes and import-prohibited skin-lightening cream from the luggage of four passengers arriving from Dubai. The estimated market value of the confiscated items exceeds Tk 3.24 million. The operation took place on Monday, 22 December, at approximately 9:30 PM.

The airport authorities confirmed the incident in an official press release issued on Tuesday, 23 December.

According to sources at the airport, a thorough baggage inspection revealed a total of 867 cartons of cigarettes along with 50 pieces of ‘Gauri’ brand skin-lightening cream, which is strictly prohibited for import.

The ‘Gauri’ cream, manufactured in Pakistan and smuggled into Bangladesh via Dubai, has previously been tested by the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI). In 2020, BSTI analysed eight different skin-lightening creams and found hazardous levels of mercury and hydroquinone—chemicals known to cause serious skin conditions and other health risks. Following these findings, the production, sale, marketing, and import of these products were banned, with ‘Gauri’ included on the prohibited list. Despite the ban, attempts to smuggle the cream into the country via air passengers have continued, with multiple seizures recorded this year at both Dhaka and Chattogram airports.

Customs officials emphasised that, under current baggage regulations, each passenger is permitted to carry a maximum of one carton of cigarettes duty-free. Any excess is considered illegal. Furthermore, cigarettes are subject to strict import conditions, and all packaging must carry a health warning in Bengali: “Smoking is hazardous to health.”

The passengers in question—Rezaul Karim, Mizanur Rahman, Ridwanul Haque, and Md. Salauddin—were travelling on a US-Bangla Airlines flight from Dubai. Shah Amanat International Airport Public Relations Officer Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil stated that the confiscated cigarettes and cream are now in the custody of Chattogram Customs House, and the four passengers have been verbally cautioned regarding the illegal import.

Confiscated Items Overview :

Authorities noted that operations such as these are crucial for protecting public health and enforcing customs regulations. They also act as a deterrent against illegal importation and smuggling, reinforcing compliance with Bangladesh’s import laws.

Customs officials and airport authorities hope that heightened vigilance and public awareness will discourage passengers from attempting to smuggle prohibited goods. “Such seizures not only uphold the law but also safeguard the health and safety of citizens,” added Khalil.

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges in controlling illegal imports via air travel and highlights the importance of strict enforcement and passenger cooperation to curb contraband and protect public welfare.