Benapole Customs has thwarted an attempt to illegally import Hilsa from India in guise of declaring it as white fish.
Based on a tip-off, an operation was conducted where 12 cartons of Chandana Hilsha (Indian Hilsa) were seized from among 264 packages of white fish (freshwater fish).
On Thursday afternoon (July 23), customs officials seized the consignment during a raid on Shed No. 31 of Benapole Port.
Upon a physical inspection based on intelligence, Benapole Customs officials discovered 12 cartons (360 kg) of Indian Hilsa hidden inside the truck.
It is learned that the importer of the consignment was Swarnali Enterprise.
Meanwhile, Kafrul's C&F firm, Shawon Shipping, was assisting in the clearance process
The seized Hilsa fish are being put up for immediate public auction, and strict legal action is being taken against the involved importer and agent.
Rahat Hossain, Assistant Commissioner of Benapole Customs House, said being tipped, they learnt that an attempt was going on to release a consignment from the port by importing Hilsa from India under the declaration of white fish. Later, a search of a suspect fish-carrying truck revealed 12 cartons of Hilsa among 264 packages of white fish.
Earlier on January 13 this year, Benapole Customs also seized 53 cartons of Indian Hilsa worth around 10 million BDT using the exact same tactic. C&F agent Link International and the importer, Jannat Enterprise, were accused in that incident.
Local traders and sources concerned said that the seized Indian Hilsa is known in the market as 'Chandana Hilsa'. There are allegations that some unscrupulous importers bring in these Hilsa fish at low prices and sell them at higher prices in the local market by passing them off as 'Padma Hilsa'.
END/CORRESPONDENT/ASA
