DHAKA: The confiscated handsets were imported without paying duties, according to Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate or CIID.
CIID, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission and Dhaka Metropolitan Police started a drive at Bashundhara Shopping Complex on Monday afternoon. Sensing the raid, traders started pulling down shutters of their shops on the fifth and ground floors. However, the officials managed to enter three shops from where they confiscated more than 100 mobile handsets including iPhone.
“The IMEI numbers on these sets are not enlisted with BTRC. They have been illegally imported,” said CIID Assistant Director Shahiduzzaman, who headed the raid. Deputy Director of CIID HM Shariful Hasan led another team that raided Molly Capita Centre at Gulshan Avenue simultaneously. More than 100 mobile handsets of different brands were confiscated there.
“Today’s raids were carried out to alert the people. More raids will follow soon,” said Shahiduzzaman.