The Chattogram Customs House uncovered approximately 25 tons of poppy seeds, with an estimated worth of Tk 6.5 crore, that had been illicitly imported through the port using deceptive declarations. Acting on a tip, the Audit, Investigation, and Research (AIR) wing of the customs house conducted an inspection on two containers at the port, revealing the presence of the prohibited items.
Import records indicate that Adib Trading, a firm based in Chattogram, had brought in the shipment from Pakistan, falsely labeling it as bird feed. MH Trading Customs C&F Agent Ltd managed the consignment as the clearing and forwarding agent.
The shipment, weighing around 32 tons, was scheduled for release on October 14. However, based on intelligence inputs, the AIR wing halted its release and carried out a physical examination on October 22 in the presence of depot authorities, importer representatives, and the agent. During the inspection, officials found that approximately 7 tons of bird feed were strategically placed outside the containers to conceal the roughly 25 tons of poppy seeds hidden behind them.
Samples from the confiscated goods were forwarded to the Plant Quarantine Wing at Chattogram Port, the Nanotechnology Centre of Dhaka University, and Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Kuet) for laboratory analysis. Reports from the plant quarantine office and Kuet verified the presence of poppy seeds in the consignment.
HM Kabir, Deputy Commissioner of Customs, informed The Daily Star that if the poppy seeds are viable for germination, they are classified as “Class A” narcotics under the Narcotics Control Act, 2018. He emphasized that the import of poppy seeds is strictly prohibited under the Import Policy Order 2021–2024. Legal proceedings are being pursued against the importer for falsifying information and attempting to smuggle prohibited goods.