Customs officials here in the port city detected the fraud when they found a huge gap between the enlisted quantities of imported and delivered edible oil at a privately owned customs bonded tank terminal.

According to sources, a customs team led by Joint Commissioner Matiur Rahman during an inspection found that a huge quantity of oil was delivered without inclusion in the records of the terminal to evade the tax.

The tank terminal of M/S Elias Brothers (Pvt) Limited at Patenga received 20000 tonnes of crude edible oil that arrived here by four vessels few weeks ago. Of the amount, 16,000 tonnes were imported in the name of M/S Elias Brothers, while the rest under the name of M/S Marine Oil Mills, sources added.

A similar type of fraud in delivering 4,000 tonnes of edible oil was detected at the same terminal earlier on May 9, said Matiur Rahman.

Sources said a vested quarter of terminal officials in connivance with some dishonest bond officials and shipping agents did such evil practices.