Sources in customs believed that the shipping agent and the importer are equally responsible for the whole episode and managed to pull at least three customs officials from preventive services into their act.

The inquiry committee in its report submitted a few days ago suggested departmental actions against Mohammad Idris, superintendent of preventive services (SPS), and his two fellow preventive officers, Akbar Hossain and Shahjahan Sikder, for gross violation of service rules. The committee also suggested proper actions 'as per licensing rules' against the shipping agent, sources said.

When contacted yesterday afternoon, Customs Commissioner AM Masroor Ahmad said the three customs officials have already been asked to show cause.

Sources said the importer, allegedly in collusion with the shipping agent and the three customs officials, secretly unloaded 10,150-MT of wheat worth around Tk 12-crore. The wheat was later sold at local markets, and no customs duty paid.

Accusing the three customs officials, the report said, SPS Idris failed to monitor the duties of his two preventive officers Akbar and Shahjahan. They also failed to check whether the customs duties were paid or not before giving the shipping agent the second permission to unload the goods. "This is a serious negligence of duty."