As 3 out of 4 scanning machines used for goods inspection and baggage search of passport holders at Benapole port have been inoperable for 5 long months, safe trade and passport holder passengers are at risk.
Criminals cross the Bangladesh side freely but are detained in India with gold bars. Border guard BSF has arrested 36 people along with around 20 kg gold bars at Petrapole port in India in the last 5 months.
Among them are 20 passengers with passports, 10 truck drivers transporting goods and 6 drivers and helpers of Shyamoli NR Paribahan. It has been alleged that an active syndicate of Customs and external NGO workers has been aiding and abetting smuggling in various ways. RA used to search passengers' baggage at customs for about 5 months to keep the syndicate active
The scanning machine has been destroyed. The customs authorities have no intention of repairing the machine. And on this opportunity, smugglers are running their activities every day.
Meanwhile, Fiber Associates, the contractor engaged in monitoring the scanning machine, said that the customs authorities have been informed to take necessary measures. However, Customs says they are trying to repair the malfunctioning scanning machine.
It is known that the Chinese government gave 4 scanner machines as a gift to Bangladesh 6 years ago to strengthen commercial relations. A scanner has been installed at the cargo entry gate on the port's bypass road, increasing the risk to safe trade at the Benapole port.
The state-of-the-art machine is capable of detecting falsely declared goods such as chemicals, drugs, weapons in cargo trucks. Besides, 3 more scanning machines were installed at Benapole Checkpost Customs funded by NBR to prevent smuggling on immigration customs route. The scanning machine is operated by Fiber Associates, a contractor on behalf of Customs. A mobile scanner of customs and two scanners of customs immigration have been completely shut down due to mechanical failure for the last 6 months due to occasional damage. They require huge sums of money to repair them.
But as per the agreement, the customs expenses are supposed to be borne, so the activities of Scanning 3 are currently completely stopped due to not taking the necessary measures so far. Due to the inability to redeem essential products including garments, trade is disrupted and opportunities for smuggling are increasing day by day.
According to sources, BSF arrested Indian truck driver Suraj Mog with 7 kg gold bars from Petrapole port on November 1 and Abdul Jahab Mallik with 17 gold bars on November 27.
On September 26, BSF arrested an Indian truck driver named Sanjeev with 6 gold bars.
Apart from this, BSF arrested Shyamoli NR Paribahan driver Mohammad Delwar and supervisor Samim Mahmud along with 11 gold bars.
Benapole Customs arrested a passport holder named Mehdi Hasan with 2 gold bars on January 29 and Nasreen Akhtar Same with 76 thousand 500 USD on January 30.
Apart from this, falsely declared products and Viagra, Phensedyl, large shipments of hemp have also been seized at Benapole port.
Some passport holders going to India said that the harassment has increased as the scanning machine at the customs immigration is closed. He opened the bag and scattered the things. But the smugglers continue their work by managing the customs. Their bags are not opened on the other side, which will be evidenced by the CCTV cameras of customs and ports.
International Affairs Secretary of Benapole C&F Agent Association, Sultan Mahmud Bipul said, "It is important to start scanning activities to keep trade safe. The opportunities for irregularity and smuggling are increasing due to long days of closure.
Boni Amin, in-charge of Benapole office of Fiber Associates, a contractor engaged in monitoring the scanning machine, said, 'Customs has been requested to fix the damaged scanning. But till now, 3 scanning machines have been stopped as it is not fixed.
Rezaul Karim, director of Benapole land port, said, 'It is important to keep the scanning machines operational to ensure the safety of trade and passenger traffic. A letter has been sent to customs to resolve it quickly.
Mohammad Hafizul Islam, Joint Commissioner of Benapole Customs House said, "Necessary steps have been taken to start the scanning machines quickly. For now, the suspected cargo truck and the passenger's bag are being opened.