A gang of illicit businessmen are smuggling in stolen Indian mobile phones right under the noses of law enforcement agencies in Shibganj and Kansat of Chapainawabganj.
These handsets, which retail for Tk30,000 to Tk50,000, are being sold for only Tk10-15,000. Thus people from nearby districts like Natore, Ishwardi, Rajshahi are tumbling in to buy these mobile phones everyday. Law enforcement agencies attempted to stop the business a few times but to no avail.
It was learned that the stores Ma Telecom, Khajababa Telecom, Sony Telecom of Shibganj; KS Telecom in Kansat, and Molla Gallery Telecom in Binodpur are involved in this illegal phone business for a long time now.
These stores are selling the latest Samsung flagship phones for Tk52,000, which retail for almost Tk80,000. As such many mobile phone models are being sold at almost half the retail prices.
Although Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) arrested several phone smugglers at different times, they managed to secure bail and started over the illegal business. Besides, according to some sources, these stolen phones are also being sold secretly from some houses in Monakosha and Khasehat areas. They are even delivered to the buyers at times.
BGB 9 Commander Lt Col Abu Jafar said they are always vigilant in preventing smuggling of the phones. Experts however said a task force has become necessary to curb the smuggling.
Meanwhile, the sellers are ripping off customers by not providing battery and chargers with these phones; and at times are selling old refurbished phones. According to some sources, if a user of such a mobile phone enters India, that person may be arrested if the stolen phones are tracked down.
