Customs Intelligence Department on Monday interrogated 10 onion importers at its office in Dhaka.
"We are trying to identify the importers who are instrumental behind the artificial crisis in the market. But the time has not come to reveal their names right now," Md Shahidul Islam, director general of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) told reporters after the meeting.
The actual amount of onion available under these importers would be known Tuesday, he added.
The interrogation was part of unearthing allegations against 332 onion importers, who are accused for hoarding the essential cooking ingredient and creating an artificial crisis in the market.
Around 1.67 lakh tons of onion was imported to the country between August and November 18, according to CIID data.
Sources at CIID said 14 importers were summoned while 10 of them arrived, in response.
The importers in questions told reporters that contrary to public opinion they sold their onion stock with only a Tk2 profit against one kg onion.
They also claimed that their stock ran out instantly after their imported stock hit the market, leaving no scope for hoarding.
A total of 27 more importers are expected to be summoned to the CIID office on Monday.
