In two separate operations in Kishoreganj, joint forces seized approximately 15 lakh illegal cigarettes and over 12 lakh counterfeit revenue stamps, with a combined value of Tk 21.43 crore. The operations, targeting Heritage Tobacco and Tara International, resulted in fines totaling Tk 4 lakh, and both factories have been sealed for violating tax regulations and environmental laws.
The tobacco companies were attempting to market these cigarettes without paying the required taxes. Acting on intelligence reports, joint forces, led by Lieutenant Colonel Farhana Afrin, conducted raids on Tuesday in Kuliarchar and Bhairab. During these raids, 14.79 lakh cigarettes of various brands and 12.25 lakh counterfeit revenue stamps were confiscated, amounting to Tk 21.43 crore.
At Heritage Tobacco Company in Kuliarchar, authorities discovered both counterfeit and reused band rolls. Additionally, the factory’s operations were found to be polluting the local river. The company was fined Tk 1.95 lakh for producing fake products. A total of 1.60 lakh cigarettes, 11.72 lakh counterfeit stamps, and 7,000 kg of cellulose acetate—used in cigarette filters—were also seized on suspicion of counterfeiting.
Heritage Tobacco has a history of manufacturing illegal cigarettes by falsifying band rolls. The company has been operating boiler machines without approval and had established a ‘Tobacco Processing Plant’ without the required permits. A previous sealing of Heritage Tobacco occurred due to environmental violations, with explicit instructions that no special equipment, including boilers, could be installed without proper clearance. Despite this, the company continued illegal operations, evading administrative oversight.
The operation at Heritage Tobacco was conducted with the presence of Executive Magistrate Samiul Islam, Deputy Commissioner of Customs, Excise, and VAT Narsingdi, Sohel Rana, and Assistant Director of the Department of Environment in Kishoreganj, Abdullah Al Mateen.
Earlier, a joint force raid took place at Tara International Tobacco Company in Shambhupur, Bhairab Upazila. According to Bhairab Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Ridwan Ahmed, the factory was fined Tk 2 lakh for the use of counterfeit band rolls. During this raid, 53,000 fake revenue stamps and 13.19 lakh cigarettes were seized, further confirming allegations of tax evasion by the factory’s owner, Liton Mia.
Tara International’s factory was found to be located in a remote area, further raising suspicions about its operations. RAB-14 Bhairab Camp Commander Mohammad Shahidullah and Bhairab Police Inspector (Investigation) Mohammed Shaheen were present during the raid.
Ridwan Ahmed stated, “The company has evaded crores in revenue through the use of counterfeit band rolls. A significant quantity of illegal cigarettes and band rolls were seized during the raid, and the company was fined Tk 2 lakh through a mobile court.”
Both factories now face legal action as part of the government’s efforts to crack down on illegal tobacco production and tax evasion.