Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate seized three luxury vehicles from the parking area of Hotel Ocean Paradise in Cox’s Bazar over allegations of duty evasion and imported vehicles using forged documents. Chattogram regional office Additional Director General Rezvi Ahmed disclosed the operation at a press briefing at the hotel on Friday at 4pm. The raid was conducted around 3am on Thursday following a confidential tip.

The seized vehicles were identified as a red 2021 Toyota M Crop bearing registration Dhaka Metro-Ga-30-1224, a red Honda bearing Dhaka Metro-Ga-18-9668, and a twin-grey 2020 Mazda bearing Dhaka Metro-Ga-24-7399. Customs intelligence officials said all three vehicles were manufactured in Japan. During the operation, users of the vehicles were asked to show import documents and legal purchase papers.

According to customs authorities, the users could not produce the required documents establishing lawful importation and purchase. Officials are examining how the vehicles entered Bangladesh and whether duty evasion, false declarations, forged paperwork, fraud or smuggling were involved. The vehicles’ import, ownership and related records are being verified, and legal action will follow if irregularities or duty evasion are established.