Recently, the offices of SA Paribahan Courier Services in Dhaka and Khulna have been targeted by the Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate on allegations of transporting counterfeit (fake) cigarettes of the Derby brand. The operations resulted in the seizure of 27 thousand and 50 packets, containing 2 lakh 70 thousand individual counterfeit Derby brand cigarettes. The estimated market value of these seized cigarettes amounts to over Tk12 lakh.
According to the Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate Office in Dhaka North, the operations were conducted based on confidential information. Last Wednesday, a raid was conducted at the SA Paribahan Courier Services office located in Kakrail, Dhaka. During this operation, 8 thousand packs, containing 80 thousand individual counterfeit Derby brand cigarettes were confiscated. The estimated market value of these seized cigarettes is Tk3 lakhs and 60 thousand.
The seized counterfeit cigarettes have been taken to the VAT office. An investigation process against SA Paribahan Courier Services has been initiated on allegations of storing counterfeit cigarettes in their office.
Similarly, based on confidential information, an operation was carried out on Monday at the SA Paribahan Courier Services office at the Notun Rastar More area of Khulna city by the Divisional Commissionerate of Customs, Excise and VAT. This operation was led by Assistant Commissioner Md. Salahuddin Ripon.
During this operation, 19 thousand and 50 packets, containing 1 lakh 90 thousand individual counterfeit (fake) Derby brand cigarettes were seized from the SA Paribahan Courier Services office, the Assistant Commissioner informed. The estimated market value of these seized cigarettes amounts to Tk8 lakhs and 77 thousand 500.
A case has been filed against SA Paribahan for allegedly storing counterfeit cigarettes in their office.
Smugglers involved in the production and distribution of counterfeit cigarettes are collaborating with SA Paribahan Courier Services to spread these fake cigarettes nationwide. As a result, the government is losing a significant amount of revenue annually due to this illegal business.
