147 illegal handsets worth Tk 15 lakh seized

A joint team of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has seized 147 illegal or unauthorised phones and arrested seven individuals during a drive at Kassaf Shopping Centre in Siddhirganj of Narayanganj today.

The estimated market value of the seized mobile handset is Tk 15 lakh, according to the BTRC.

Legal action has been taken against those detained according to the provisions of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulation Act, 2001, the commission said in a press release.

A joint team of BTRC and RAB is conducting a drive to seize illegal mobile phones at Siddhirganj’s Kassaf Shopping Centre in Narayanganj today. Photo: Collected

The raided shops are City Mobile, Money Telecom, 3G Mobile, Shaon Telecom, Antara Telecom, Robi Fair and Al Madina Telecom.

BTRC will continue regular operations to stop the illegal import, marketing, sales and distribution of mobile handsets and other wireless devices.

The customers are requested to verify the validity of the mobile phone before purchase, said the press release sent by Zakir Hossain Khan, deputy director for media and publications at the BTRC.