DHAKA, Feb 24, 2018 (BSS)-Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) has sought permission from the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to use handcuff whenever it arrests anyone in connection with smuggling related activities.
CIID sent a letter to the NBR on February 11 seeking its permission to buy and use handcuffs.
“CIID officials often arrest people involved in smuggling of gold and other goods at airports and land ports but the officials face risks when they take those arrested people to court, thana or hospital,” said CIID director general Dr Moinul Khan.
Talking to BSS, he said if these arrested people are not handcuffed while shifting from place to place, they can run away. He hoped that the NBR would take positive decision in this regard soon.
Mentioning section 5 of 156 of the Customs Act, the senior CIID official said members of customs intelligence enjoy the same powers as a sub-inspector of a police station enjoys while investigating a case. Moreover, the anti-money laundering act gives the CIID members the power to arrest and investigate a money laundered case, he added.
“So, both the acts give CIID members power to handcuff the arrested people but this power is not exercised presently. But we want permission from NBR to apply this power now,” Khan added.
Recently, a smuggler ran away when a CIID official was taking him to thana. The CIID official concerned has been suspended for negligence of duty. “If handcuff would have been used, it would have been possible to check such incident,” said Khan.