Bangladesh customs officials seized about 17.5 tons of goods at Chattogram Port after finding discrepancies between the declared and actual contents of two consignments imported under the name of Authoy Enterprise. The shipment included tobacco or tobacco-like materials and scrap paper, according to the National Board of Revenue.
The first consignment was declared as pan masala and zarda, or chewing tobacco, but contained 8,250.4 kilograms, or about 8.25 tons, of tobacco or tobacco-like material. Some materials appeared to be powdery substances resembling narcotics, though laboratory testing is required to determine their composition. The second consignment was declared as printed paper catalogues but contained 9,263 kilograms, or about 9.26 tons, of scrap paper.
Authoy Enterprise’s proprietor told customs officials that he and the company were unaware of the imports and suspected their name and import information had been misused. Authorities are investigating the shipments and whether any offences were committed.