Dhaka, Nov. 12 -- A consignment declared as packing and wrapping machinery has turned out to contain a complete cigarette manufacturing and packaging plant comprising seven machines, following an investigation by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) at Chattogram port.

The machinery was imported under a false product declaration, with the declared invoice value of US$17,600 standing at nearly one-25th of its estimated market value of US$443,000, according to preliminary CIID findings.

The consignment was imported by Dhaka-based commercial importer JR Business World from Ali Industries Limited of the United Arab Emirates, according to a press release from NBR.

Although initial information identified six machines...