A total of 39 trucks loaded with grapes, tomatoes and pomegranates have been smuggled through the port for revenue evasion by false declaration. Customs authorities have suspended the license of a C&F agent Royal Enterprise whose AIN No. 601050013 for the evasion of Revenue Tk 1 crore 40 lakh.
Customs sources said that on the closing day last Saturday, 39 trucks of grapes, tomatoes and pomegranates were imported from India through Benapole port. C&F agent Royal Enterprise was in charge of delivery of the consignments from the port. But Royal Enterprise delivered those 39 trucks of grapes, tomatoes and pomegranates without any documents from the port's shipment yard to avoid the customs official and the revenue charges.
Benapole Custom House Commissioner Azizur Rahman and Additional Commissioner Dr Neyamul Islam jointly forced the C&F agent to deposit the revenue.
The C&F agent was forced to deposit the revenue in the government treasury on Monday. The revenue amount was deposited to the Sonali Bank, Benapole Branch.
There are allegations that every Saturday, on the day of holiday, Royal Enterprise smuggles fruits under false declaration to avoid customs charges. There are several revenue evasion allegations against this agent in the custom house.
Rafiqul Islam Royal, owner of Royal Enterprise said that his C&F agent license Royal Enterprise has been canceled by the customs authorities. However, the revenue of 39 trucks has been paid on the next two days of delivery. Revenue was not paid on that day due to perishable condition of the goods, he added.
Benapole Custom House Additional Commissioner Dr Neyamul Islam admitted the truth of the incident and said that the license of Royal Enterprise has been suspended on the charge of forcibly removing 39 trucks of fruits from the port. The incident is being investigated as of now. Zero tolerance policy has been adopted regarding revenue evasion in the Benapole port.
