120 gold bars seized at Dhaka airport

Dhaka Customs officials seized 120 gold bars weighing 13.92 kilogram from an employee of Biman Bangladesh Airlines at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday.

The gold was recovered from Md Soeb Gazi, an assistant technical helper of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, during a search of flight BG 148, which arrived in Dhaka from Dubai via Chattogram, according to Dhaka Customs House.

The seizure was made at around 11:30am after the aircraft had landed. Customs officials, acting on a tip-off, conducted a special search of the aircraft as Biman’s mechanical and cleaning staff were leaving after completing cleaning work.

With the assistance of security guard Nur Islam, the officials searched the employees and found several objects concealed inside Gazi’s belt and wrapped in black Scotch tape.

AVSEC, Customs Intelligence and representatives of other intelligence agencies were present during the search.

The seized items were taken to the customs hall and inventoried in the presence of officials from different agencies. A total of 120 gold bars, each weighing around 116 grams, were found.

Customs officials estimated the market value of the gold at around Tk25 crore.

The customs authority said the gold was initially suspected to have been brought into the country illegally to evade government-imposed customs duties and taxes, with the intention of smuggling it outside the airport premises.

The operation was jointly conducted by Dhaka Customs House and various intelligence agencies.

The seized gold bars were immediately deposited in the airport customs valuables warehouse. The process of depositing the gold with Bangladesh Bank is now under way in accordance with standing orders governing the disposal of uncleared or seized goods involved in alleged smuggling.