DHAKA, Aug 31, 2026 (BSS) - Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) has seized a large quantity of foreign cigarettes, whitening serum, zarda and foreign liquor in separate drives conducted by its B and C shifts at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in the capital.

The total estimated market value of the seized goods is around Tk 28 lakh, according to an NBR press release.

Acting on intelligence information by the Director General, the B shift conducted special surveillance on Emirates flight EK584, which arrived from Dubai.

During a search of baggage while crossing the green channel, the team seized 270 cartons of cigarettes and 1.24 kg of whitening serum from passenger Md. Himel (Passport No. A16137538). Another 270 cartons of cigarettes were seized from fellow passenger Shaarmin Akter (Passport No. A15558837).

The B shift seized a total of 540 cartons of cigarettes and 1.24 kg of whitening serum, with an estimated market value of Tk 21.80 lakh.

Meanwhile, the C shift conducted surveillance on Air India flight AI237, which arrived from Delhi.

After the flight landed at around 2:10am, the team seized 31 cartons of cigarettes and 132 pieces of whitening serum from passenger Mahathe Hasan Babu (Passport No. A12376700).

Another 54 cartons of cigarettes, 144 pieces of whitening serum and 3 kg of zarda were seized from passenger Sohodul Hasan Shakil (Passport No. A09913003).

In a separate operation, the C shift searched the baggage of passenger Rafiqul Sarder (Passport No. A21565755), who arrived on Qatar Airways flight QR640 from Qatar, and seized three litres of foreign liquor.

According to the summary provided by CIID, the C shift seized a total of 85 cartons of cigarettes, 276 pieces of Biscos whitening serum, 5 kg of zarda and three litres of liquor, with an estimated market value of Tk 6.20 lakh.

Thus, in the two separate drives conducted by the B and C shifts on the same day, CIID seized a total of 625 cartons of cigarettes and other goods worth around Tk 28 lakh.

The operations are part of CIID's continued surveillance efforts to prevent smuggling and misuse of baggage facilities at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.