The Chittagong Customs House (CCH) has recently formed an anti-money laundering cell to check illegal imports and consignments.
The cell will take legal action against those involved in laundering money in the name of imports.
The development came following incidents of goods imports under false declaration and seizure of contraband items and sandbags in recent times.
According to the CCH, such 'criminal acts' are aimed at laundering money.
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) instructed the CCH to stop such sharp practices at any cost.
CCH deputy commissioner (audit investigation and research) Nur Uddin Milan said the CCH has formed a 10-member committee.
The team, led by a deputy commissioner, has members in the ranks of revenue officer, assistant revenue officer, office assistant and computer operator.
The consignees always argue that they are not to blame as exporters cheat them with illegal imports.
For months, CCH sources said, there were incidents of detaining sandbags, contraband cigarettes and other banned items imported through Chattogram port.
Several bags filled with sand were found in the port jetty under the declaration of 19,500-kilogram double A4-size white paper imported from China.
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