Dhaka airport on high alert over organised crime

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the country's key international gateway, has been placed on high alert following a series of major smuggling and human trafficking incidents that have exposed suspected insider involvement and raised fresh concerns over security there.

Within just four days, authorities seized gold worth nearly Tk100 crore, foiled an alleged attempt to traffic 76 passengers to Malaysia using fraudulent visas, and continued investigating the unauthorised removal of around 4,000kg of imported cargo from the airport's cargo village without customs clearance.

The string of incidents has prompted aviation security agencies to intensify surveillance and widen investigations into whether organised criminal networks are operating with assistance from airport insiders.

Insider link under investigation

The latest gold seizure took place on 2 July, when a joint operation recovered 18.72kg of gold worth around Tk45 crore from the cargo hold of a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight arriving from Dubai.

The operation involved the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), Aviation Security (AVSEC), Customs authorities and Biman's internal security unit.

Sharif Hossain, Investigation Officer of the case and Inspector (Operations) at Airport Police Station, said investigators had requested the complete list of personnel responsible for operating the aircraft, including engineers, cleaners, cabin crew and pilots.

"We suspect the involvement of insiders based on the method used to transport the gold," he said, adding that no individual would be named until the investigation was complete.

The seizure follows another major operation in March, when authorities recovered 18kg of gold bars valued at around Tk46 crore hidden inside the toilet panel of another Biman aircraft arriving from Dubai.

Three engineering staff members were detained after investigators found suspicious evidence on their mobile phones, while at least ten more airline employees remain under scrutiny.

Human trafficking attempt thwarted

Security agencies also disrupted what investigators believe was a large-scale human trafficking operation on 4 July.

Five passengers scheduled to travel on a Biman flight to Malaysia were stopped at the boarding gate after officials detected serious discrepancies between their visas and passport information.

Following the offloading of the five passengers, a further 71 passengers left the airport without boarding the same flight, leading investigators to suspect they were part of the same organised trafficking network.

According to intelligence officials, the group was allegedly being sent to Malaysia using forged visas under a coordinated "body contract" arrangement. Investigators are examining whether airport personnel facilitated the operation.

Security concerns deepen

Authorities are also continuing to investigate an earlier case involving the illegal removal of approximately 4,000kg of imported fabric from the airport's cargo village without payment of customs duties or taxes.

Officials believe the latest incidents demonstrate increasing sophistication among organised crime groups attempting to exploit weaknesses in airport operations.

Business leaders linked to airport trade have expressed concern that repeated smuggling and trafficking attempts risk damaging Bangladesh's international reputation and undermining confidence in aviation security.

Executive Director of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, SM Ragib Samad, acknowledged the recent rise in criminal activity, saying security agencies had been instructed to remain on maximum alert.

"The recent incidents indicate increased criminal activity. Our vigilance has led to these cases being detected, and security measures will be strengthened further," he said.

Investigators hope ongoing intelligence operations and forensic analysis will dismantle the smuggling and trafficking networks while identifying any insiders involved in facilitating the crimes.