Customs officials in Chattogram have seized a consignment of 42 tonnes of export-prohibited fragrant rice from a private container depot, which were intended to be shipped to Saudi Arabia under a false declaration.
Officials from the Chattogram office of the Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation and Chattogram Customs House seized the rice from Esak Depot on Thursday.
Nilphamari-based company Ovijat Food & Beverage Industries Ltd was shipping export-prohibited fragrant rice, alongside puffed rice, oil and other products to Bahar Foods Trading Company in Saudi Arabia under false declaration. NR Enterprise, a C&F agent in Chattogram, was assigned for the shipment through the private container depot, said officials.
Shila Basak, an official of the Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation, Chattogram, told The Business Standard that the export of fragrant rice is not allowed under the Customs law. “The export-oriented company (Ovijat Food & Beverage) was exporting fragrant rice under a false declaration.”
She said during the drive, 42 tonnes of fragrant rice, 1,344 litres of oil, 13,805 kg of puffed rice were found in four containers. The market value of the non-declared products will be known after investigation.
Deputy Director of the directorate Ayesha Siddika said action will be taken against the concerned establishments as per Customs law.
Proprietor of NR Enterprise, Asia Khatun, could not be reached despite several attempts.
The staff of Ovijat Food & Beverage Industries Ltd did not respond either.
