The illegal activity might have been going on for long, land port officials told this correspondent yesterday.

Investigation by customs authorities revealed that the unscrupulous group imported onion from India through Bhomra land port recently.

The group imported 165 tonnes of onion by opening forged LCs and making forged bank documents. M/s Almira International imported the onion through forged LCs (No. 133507010091 and 133507010111) dated April 17 and May 8 and other relevant documents showing that those were opened with Motijhheel branch of South East Bank in Dhaka. M/s Shibam Exporters of India exported the onion.

M/s Almira International imported 30 tonnes of onion through bill of entry no. 4070 on April 29, 30 tonnes through bill of entry no. 4237 on May 3, 30 tonnes through bill of entry no. 4378 on May 7 and 75 tonnes through bill of entry no. 4457 on May 8.

The forgery came to light when the exporter lodged an allegation with Bhomra customs authorities saying that it did not get the entire value of the onions. Its officials told land port authorities that they were unaware of the forgery.

Following the complaint, Bhomra customs authorities formed a committee to probe the matter.

The committee members went to Dhaka to locate office of M/s Almira International. South East Bank officials told them that no one opened with the bank LCs in the name of M/s Almira International.

Even they did not issue any LC or other documents in favour of the said importer, the bank officials told the probe committee.

The committee members also went to the address of M/s Almira International stated in documents but could not find the importing firm.

On contact, Joint Commissioner of Customs Mahbubur Rahman at Bhomra land port confirmed the incident and said they are trying to detect the frauds. They will be punished, he said.

Meanwhile, the Bhomra Clearing and Forwarding (C&F) Agents Association also formed a three-member committee headed by Arafat Rahman as convenor to probe the matter, its vice-president Ashrafuzzaman Ashu told this correspondent. Two other members of the probe body are Wahidul Islam and Abu Musa.

When contacted, Arafat Rahman said they are probing the matter and it will be completed soon.

C&F agents association, transport agency owners and leaders of workers unions at a joint meeting at Bhomra land port yesterday vowed to protect the land port from corruption.

C&F Association vice-president Ashrafuzzaman Ashu presided over the meeting.

They urged the authorities to take steps to stop all kinds of forgery and anomaly and demanded punishment of persons involved in such irregularities.

They also urged the government to build infrastructures and develop the port.