Published : 29 Aug 2026, 02:00 AM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:36 AM
The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) has seized three cars from the parking lot of a star-rated hotel in Cox's Bazar over allegations of evading import duties. However, the owners claim that the cars are their “gifts” from their father.
The agency says that the seizure was initially made because the owners could not show the legal import and purchase documents for the cars.
According to customs intelligence, the owners have come up with a novel strategy to evade import duty by bringing disassembled cars into the country while declaring them as “used car parts” and then reassembling them to make complete vehicles. As part of this effort, they brought in the three cars seized in Cox's Bazar, said Rezvi Ahmed, additional director general of the CIID Chattogram Regional Office at a press conference on Friday.
He said, " They are importing parts of different vehicles and reassembling them into complete vehicles to avoid customs duties in a novel way. Luxury cars like BMW, Toyota Royal Saloon, Crown, Range Rover are also being reassembled in this way and driven on the roads."
The CIID initially said that the seized cars were luxury vehicles from Japanese brands. However, the model, CC and actual value of the cars will be determined after an investigation.
Cars Imported as Used Parts
Rezvi said that the CIID received a tip-off about several consignments brought to Mongla Port on Aug 27 after being declared as “used car parts”.
After examining the consignments, investigators felt that it was possible to make complete cars quickly by combining the imported parts.
The customs intelligence officer said that according to international customs rules, the duty is determined by considering the “essential character”, or basic features of the product. If there is an opportunity to turn a product into a complete product by bringing almost all the necessary parts together and combining them, they are to be considered as final products.
"Knowing this loophole, they evaded our notice," he said.
Once the tip-off was received, informant and intelligence networks were activated in different parts of the country, said Rezvi.
BMW Found in Chattogram
Based on intelligence, a complete BMW car was seized from the parking lot of a building in a residential area of Chattogram on Thursday.
Rezvi said the owner could not show any documents regarding the legal import or purchase of the car. It was then taken into custody by the authorities.
A tip-off also informed customs intelligence about several cars kept in a hotel in Cox's Bazar.
A team from Chattogram went to Cox's Bazar early on Friday morning and found three cars in the parking lot of a star-rated hotel.
Rezvi Ahmed said, "We came here around 4 or 6am and confirmed that the cars were here."
The two cars did not have number plates. The people in possession of the vehicles claimed that they were “in the process of being registered”. However, Rezvi said that no application for registration or necessary documents were found.
Another request for the relevant documents were made later in the morning, but customs detectives alleged that those with the vehicles were trying to waste their time.
Detention memos were eventually issued as per the law and the cars were seized.
'Gift from Father'
During questioning by the customs detective, the people in possession of the cars claimed that they received them as gifts from their father.
However, the authenticity of the claim would be verified though the documentation, Rezvi said.
He said that the three people in possession of the cars have been identified initially. They are Mohammad Hasibur Rahman Sinha, the driver of the Toyota Saloon number Dhaka Metro G-30-1234, Mohammad Safiat Mahmud, the driver of the Honda Dhaka Metro G-18-9638, and Mohammad Sarafat Rahman Ishan, the driver of the Japanese-made Mazda Dhaka Metro G-24-7359.
Their birth registration and passport information has been collected, he said, and CCTV footage of the hotel was also recovered.
However, the customs detectives did not agree to speak on the record about the real owners of the seized cars.
Cars Worth Millions?
Asked about the estimated value of the seized cars, Rezvi said customs officials are not experts in car valuation.
"The price of a BMW car can range from Tk 8 million to Tk 70 million. Again, if it is above 4,000cc, the duty slab also changes."
In the case of Japanese cars, the price is determined following the “Yellow Book”, he said.
Initially, the cars seem to be “sports cars and luxury cars”, he said.
Customs detectives say that their main goal now is to find out how the cars came to the country and where they were assembled.
Rezvi said, "We will investigate how the cars were brought in, what was the import process was, and where they were assembled."
If irregularities are found in the import process, action will be taken according to the law. And if evidence of smuggling is found, action will be taken under all relevant laws and the network behind it will also be found, he said.
Rezvi that if the import is illegal, matters may be investigated under the Foreign Exchange Control Act and money laundering laws. If evidence of car brand counterfeiting is found, the issue of intellectual property infringement will also be investigated.
In response to a question, Rezvi commented that the owners’ profession or political activities are not a matter for investigation by customs detectives.
He said that the Rapid Action Battalion, Cox's Bazar District police and various national intelligence agencies cooperated in the operation to seize the vehicles.
The customs official added that CCTV footage of the entire operation has been collected, the chairman of the National Board of Revenue is directly supervising the matter, and they are receiving regular instructions through the director general of customs intelligence.
Stating that the vehicles are being taken into the custody of CIID, Rezvi said that the action over the incident will only be decided after the investigation is complete.
“If the truth of these claims is proven, things will be disposed of according to the law. If the evidence of smuggling is clear, action will be taken by applying all applicable laws,” he said.
The customs official said that there is no confirmed information yet on whether any foreign nationals are involved in the incident.
Pranoy Chakma, deputy director of the agency, said that no case has been filed over the incident yet.
