A passenger was detained at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram on Sunday (October 25) after 1,482 grams of gold jewellery, fashioned into bangles, were recovered from his handbag and clothing during a joint operation by airport intelligence agencies and customs officials.
Engineer Ibrahim Khalil, public relations officer at Shah Amanat International Airport, confirmed the incident.
According to a press release issued by the airport’s public relations department, the passenger arrived on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG-136 from Jeddah. The flight landed at the airport at 11:50am.
Airport intelligence personnel and customs officials became suspicious of the passenger’s movements near baggage belt No. 1 in the arrival hall and subsequently searched him.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), National Security Intelligence (NSI), other intelligence agencies and customs officials.
During the search, officials recovered 1,482 grams of gold jewellery in the form of bangles from the passenger’s handbag and the clothes he was wearing.
The detained passenger, identified as Md Sharif, is a resident of Senbagh upazila in Noakhali district. According to the press release, he is a member of the Manik Travels and Tours Hajj Caravan.
The estimated applicable revenue value of the recovered gold is Tk28.47 million, or Tk2 crore 84 lakh 70 thousand, the release said.
Following an assessment of the quantity and details of the gold consignment, the recovered items were handed over to airport customs authorities.
Customs intelligence authorities are proceeding with legal action against the passenger under the relevant anti-smuggling laws in connection with the incident.
