Illegal goods are being smuggled in and out from the Kawakhali transit of Teknaf, Cox's Bazar on a daily basis in supervision of local law enforcement agencies.
Officials said such activities will draw flack on the national revenue. If smuggling can be curbed, the government can be benefited with surplus income.
The transit-route, open to Bangladesh and Myanmar near Naf river, is now being used by smugglers for trading at least Tk30,000 everyday in supervision of BGB.
However, local Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have binned such claims and slammed a quarter for spreading these “rumours” for personal gain.
BGB is in-charge of allowing passage through the Kawakhali transit. They give pass to passengers under laws provisioning each to carry maximum Tk3,000 worth goods.
Smugglers are using this facility to transport export-import goods through this route, saving the cost for taxation at any other land ports.
Vessels laden with goods such as slippers, pickles, blankets, dried fish, chocolate, calcium, electronics, chargers, pulse, plastique, battery and others are harbouring everyday.
T-shirts, fabrics, aluminium products, crockeries, biscuit, cold drinks, potato, medicine and vermicilli take off to Myanmar from Bangladesh, locals say.
Teknaf land-port Revenue Officer Mohammad Nur-e Alam said smuggled goods have a free passage through this transit route without any intervention.
“We informed the BGB about this in a written letter, but we did not receive any response. Almost all export goods are being transported through the transit.”
The target revenue from Teknaf land-port can double if the smuggling can be curbed from Kawakhali transit-route, the official said.
Ibne Amin, a landlord at the transit area, denied smuggling allegations. “BGB are supervising regular activities in this route. They take actions against any illegal activities.”
BGB 42 captain Lt Col Abuzer Al Zahid said he did not receive any written or verbal complaint from officials regarding any irregularities.
“We allow Tk3,000 worth goods through the transit as per laws. Any extra, we seize it and submit it to the customs authority. The allegations are false.”