Chattogram Customs House has seized 24,960kg of poppy seeds that were imported from Pakistan under a false declaration as bird feed. During the inspection, they found that while the front section of the containers contained bird feed, the rear portion was packed with poppy seeds. It added that germinable poppy seeds are categorised as Class A narcotics under the Narcotics Control Act, 2018. The authorities also noted that under Article 3(1) (Kha) of the Import Policy Order 2021–2024, poppy seeds are listed as item number 15 among prohibited imports. Once the pods dry, the seeds -- commonly known as poppy seeds -- are harvested for use as a spice.
