The Directorate of Audit, Intelligence and Investigation, VAT, has seized 316,400 sticks of illegally imported foreign cigarettes from two residential buildings in Mohammadpur.

Two preventive teams of the directorate conducted simultaneous raids at two warehouses in residential buildings at PC Culture Housing in Shyamoli and Joint Quarter in Mohammadpur on Wednesday.

With the assistance of the building guards and owners, the teams identified the warehouses and broke open the locks after failing to obtain the keys, according to a press release.

A large quantity of foreign cigarettes was found stored in sacks inside the warehouses.

According to the VAT intelligence directorate, the seized cigarettes included 202,200 sticks of Patron Nano, 10,000 of Mond Strawberry, 16,600 of Mond Silver and 26,400 of Oris Nano from one warehouse.

Another 61,200 sticks of Orbit, Mond, Patron and Oris cigarettes were recovered from the second warehouse.

The intelligence teams, with assistance from a key state intelligence agency, are working to identify and apprehend the smuggling network involved in supplying counterfeit foreign cigarettes illegally to Dhaka and other parts of the country.

The seized cigarettes have been confiscated and deposited at a nearby customs warehouse.

The VAT intelligence directorate said foreign cigarettes cannot be imported without prior permission and in accordance with the prescribed procedures. The seized cigarettes will subsequently be destroyed according to the rules.

Legal proceedings, including filing of a case, are being initiated in connection with the seizure.

The directorate said its nationwide drives would continue under the instructions of the National Board of Revenue to protect government revenue and prevent illegal production and amarketing of tobacco products, as well as revenue evasion through the use of fake stamps and banderoles.