Man held with 1kg gold at Dhaka airport

Gold smuggling syndicates are finding new and innovative ways to exploit legal channels for their illicit trade.

In a recent bust, a member of a gold smuggling syndicate was caught red-handed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport with six gold bars and ornaments weighing around one kg. The syndicate had been using unsuspecting passengers to carry gold bars and cosmetics in their luggage, paying their taxes to avoid suspicion.

According to SM Mizanur Rahman, additional superintendent of Airport Armed Police Battalion (APBn), the arrestee was identified as Oli Ahad, a 46-year-old resident of Ashuganj in Brahmanbaria. He was caught moving suspiciously around 1:10am at the airport, and upon interrogation, he admitted to bringing the gold bars to sell.

A case has been filed against Ahad with the Airport Police Station.

Mizanur also said a syndicate has been exploiting passengers to smuggle gold for a long time. He said they are trying to get details about other members of the syndicate.

In a month-long drive in April, the APBn members recovered around six kg of gold.

The Baggage Rules-2016 allows each individual to carry two gold bars, weighing 234 grammes or 20.07 bhori, by paying Tk 40,000 as customs duty.

The authorities are taking the necessary steps to strengthen security measures at the airport to prevent such activities in the future, said the official.