The shipment, imported on October 9 by Messrs Adib Trading of Chattogram’s Kotwali area, was initially falsely declared as bird food.

The Audit, Investigation and Research (AIR) wing of Chattogram Customs, acting on a tip-off, suspended the release of the containers and conducted a joint physical examination on October 22 at Sabeer Ahmed Timber Company Ltd’s off-dock depot.

The inspection revealed only 7,200 kilograms of bird food, while 24,960 kilograms of poppy seeds were hidden beneath, according to The Business Standard.

HM Kabir, Deputy Commissioner of Customs, told the newspaper: “Although poppy seeds (known locally as posto dana) are sometimes used as a spice, their import is prohibited under Article 3(1)(b), Serial No. 15 of the Import Policy Order 2021–2024.”

He added that the consignment, valued at 30 lakh taka by the importer, was estimated to have a market value of around 6.5 crore taka.

Legal proceedings are underway under the Customs Act, 2023.