Customs foils bid to smuggle 14kg gold into Dhaka airport

Customs officials at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) on Saturday seized nearly 14 kilograms of gold worth an estimated Tk25 crore and arrested a Biman Bangladesh Airlines technician allegedly carrying the consignment strapped to his body.
The gold, comprising 120 bars weighing 116g each and totalling 13.92kg, was wrapped in black adhesive tape and concealed inside a belt worn by Md Sohel Gazi, an assistant technical helper with the state-run airline, officials said.
The seizure was made around 11am when a Customs House, Dhaka, team acting on intelligence boarded Biman flight BG-148 as its mechanical and cleaning crew prepared to disembark after a routine cabin service check.
The flight had operated on the Dubai-Chattogram-Dhaka route.
Customs officials said the Preventive team, assisted by airport security guard Nur Islam, conducted targeted searches of the servicing crew before they left the aircraft. The gold bars were found strapped to Gazi’s body beneath his clothing.
Representatives of the Aviation Security Force (AVSEC), Customs Intelligence and other law enforcement and intelligence agencies were present during the operation.
A Customs official said the manner in which the gold was concealed indicated a deliberate and organised smuggling attempt. Investigators are looking into whether others, including possible accomplices at the airport or airline, were involved.
The seized gold is being deposited with Bangladesh Bank in line with standard procedure. A case has been filed against Gazi and further investigation is under way.