DHAKA, Aug 31, 2026 (BSS) - Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) officials have seized 625 cartons of foreign cigarettes along with whitening serum, zarda and foreign liquor in separate operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA).

The seized goods are estimated to be worth around Tk 28 lakh, according to a press release issued by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) today.

Acting on intelligence, CIID officials searched the baggage of passenger Md Himel, who arrived from Dubai on Emirates flight EK-584, while passing through the green channel. They seized 270 cartons of cigarettes and 1.24 kg of whitening serum from his possession.

Another passenger on the same flight, Sharmin Akter, was found carrying another 270 cartons of cigarettes.

In a separate operation, CIID officials seized 31 cartons of cigarettes and 132 pieces of whitening serum from passenger Mahathe Hasan Babu, who arrived from Delhi on Air India flight AI-237.

Another passenger on the flight, Shahidul Hasan Shakil, was found carrying 54 cartons of cigarettes, 144 pieces of whitening serum and 3 kg of zarda.

Officials also searched the baggage of Rafiqul Sardar, who arrived from Qatar on Qatar Airways flight QR-640, and seized three litres of foreign liquor.

The NBR said the second operation resulted in the seizure of 85 cartons of cigarettes, 276 pieces of whitening serum, 5 kg of zarda and three litres of liquor, with an estimated value of Tk 6.2 lakh.

The NBR said the combined operations conducted by two CIID shifts in a single day led to the seizure of 625 cartons of cigarettes and other foreign goods.

It said surveillance and anti-smuggling operations would continue at the airport to prevent smuggling and misuse of baggage facilities.