World · Bangladesh Bureau
Nearly 2,000 iPhones seized in Cox's Bazar smuggling operation
Bangladeshi authorities have seized a large consignment of iPhones allegedly being smuggled by Chinese and Taiwanese nationals in Cox's Bazar. The operation has raised questions about organized smuggling networks operating in the coastal district.
LSN Bangladesh ·
Law enforcement agencies in Cox's Bazar recovered 1,938 iPhones during a raid targeting suspected smugglers of Chinese and Taiwanese origin. The high-value electronics were discovered during an operation in the district, which has emerged as a transit point for contraband goods destined for markets across South Asia.
Authorities said the seizure represents a significant disruption to smuggling operations that have long exploited Cox's Bazar's porous borders and complex terrain. The iPhones, valued at several million taka, were allegedly being prepared for distribution through underground retail networks operating across Bangladesh.
Investigators are examining the supply chain behind the operation, including how the devices entered the country and where they were intended to be sold. Officials indicated that the involvement of foreign nationals suggests connections to larger international smuggling syndicates.
The seizure underscores ongoing challenges faced by Bangladesh's customs and law enforcement agencies in combating organized smuggling operations. Cox's Bazar has been a persistent flashpoint for contraband trafficking, with security forces conducting regular operations to intercept illegal goods.