About Tk 300 crores have been smuggled through Chattogram port in the name of exporting T-shirts, tops and ladies dresses. With the connivance of 10 garment companies located in different areas of Dhaka and 12 C&F agents of Chattogram, this money has been smuggled to various countries including United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria.
According to the information of the Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation, they have smuggled a total of 3 crore 53 lakh 66 thousand 918 US dollars by showing 1 thousand 234 invoices for exporting 9 thousand 121 metric tons of goods. Which is about Tk 300 crores in Bangladeshi Taka.
Those 10 exporters in Dhaka are Pragya Fashion Limited of Savar, Fashion Trade of Gulshan, MDS Fashion of Uttara, Hong Kong Fashions Limited of Gazipur, Three Star Trading of Banani, Fortune Fashion of Mirpur, Anupam Fashion Wear Limited of Kachukhet, Pixi Knitwears Limited of Gazipur, Stylize BD Limited of Shahbagh and Eden Style Tex of Khilkhet.
The 12 C&F agents of Chattogram involved in money laundering are A&J Trade International of Agrabad, GR Trading Corporation, Parag SMS Limited and NH Corporation, Riyanka International and Pan Bengal Agency Limited of Khatunganj, M/s AJ Shipping Corporation of Dewanhat area of the city. JJ Associates of Sugandha area, Express Forwarders of Bayezid area, M/s AK Enterprises of Sadarghat area, M/s AK Enterprises and KRS C&F Limited of Fakirhat.
According to the information sent by the Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation, in 2019 Pragya Fashion Limited of Dhaka smuggled 92 crore 4 lakh 60 thousand 245 taka by claiming to export 383 goods in 2019 and 8 in 2020 to the United Arab Emirates and Malaysia. In the three years of 2018, 2019 and 2020, the organization named Fashion Trade of Dhaka has smuggled Tk 68 crore 35 lakh 84 thousand 236 by showing a total of 246 product invoices. From 2018 to 2020, Hong Kong Fashion Limited of Gazipur smuggled Tk 40 crore 66 lakh 37 thousand 586 to United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Nigeria, Kuwait, Canada. In 2018 and 2019, Fortune Fashion of Mirpur smuggled 12 crore 94 lakh 56 thousand 623 taka by showing export of 59 goods.
Also, in 2020, Anupam Fashion Limited of Kachukhet area of Dhaka smuggled 7 crore 44 lakh 97 thousand 203 taka and showed export of clothes. In the same year, Pixi Knit Wires Limited of Tongi has smuggled Tk 5 crore 6 lakh 24 thousand 341 and Dhaka Shahbagh Stylize BD Ltd Tk 2 crore 17 lakh 2 thousand 902 and Eden Style Tex Tk 1 crore 64 lakh 77 thousand 816. This money has been smuggled to France, Canada, Russia, Slovenia, Panama and other countries of the world. Money is being laundered out of the country in the name of exports and C&F agents in Chattogram are involved.
General Secretary of Chattogram C&F Agent Association Kazi Mahmud Imam Billu said that all members are urged not to be involved in illegal activities in the meeting. However, many people are getting involved in these activities by falling into the trap of greed. So whoever is the culprit must be brought to justice. Besides, those involved in sending export products should increase surveillance at all levels.
Bashir Ahmed, Additional Director General of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Department said, "The institutions are counterfeiting T-shirts, tops, ladies dresses, trousers, baby sets, polo shirts, etc. products in various countries of the world including United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria. Laundered money by showing export. A review of these ten companies reveals discrepancies between the information given in the Bill of Exports and the EXP. Therefore, criminal cases have been filed against the institutions along with money laundering investigations.
