Customs intelligence today seized a luxury sports car worth around Tk 10 crore from Banani area in Dhaka that was purchased by dodging tax.

Acting on a tip-off, a customs intelligence team raided the office of Versatile Automobiles located at G-block on Road No.7 in Banani and seized the white AUDI R8 model racing car this noon, Moinul Khan, director general of customs intelligence, told The Daily Star.

The customs intelligence team has been keeping close watch on movement of the car since last Saturday, he added.

"After examining purchase papers and other documents of the car, we found that it is AUDI R8 model 5200cc sport car," Moinul Khan said.

The car was brought through Mongla seaport in 2013, concealing its engine power, model and value. Due to this, tax worth around Tk 8.5 crore was dodged, he said.

Auto One imported the car from UK under the bill of entry No. 3427 through Mongla Seaport on  April 27 in 2013, paying 451 percent duty on U$32,441.

But the real duty will be 841 percent against the real value of $1.62 lakh.

The importer has committed crime by dodging tax, the customs DG said.

Meanwhile, Arif Islam, owner of Versatile Automobiles, contradicted the information given by Customs Intelligence, Bangladesh that the car was raiding his office.

"The car was seized from RPM Motors who shares the same showroom space with Versatile Automobiles and is a sub-lessee of Versatile Automobiles."

"…the car was taken by CI [Customs Intelligence] from the possession of RPM Motors. It was never under the custody/possession of Versatile Automobiles."