Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) has detained an Indian passenger at Chattogram’s Shah Amanat International Airport after allegedly recovering gold worth about Tk1 crore concealed inside his underwear.
The passenger, identified as Thamim Ansari, arrived from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates on an Air Arabia flight at 6:58am on Saturday. Acting on intelligence, a CIID team intercepted him after he crossed the airport’s green channel, according to a press release.
Officials said a body search uncovered capsule-shaped gold concealed inside the passenger’s underwear using a specially designed method.
The recovered material, including its packing, weighed 455 grams. CIID said the packing materials are being removed and the gold is being examined by a goldsmith to determine its exact weight and purity.
Based on the preliminary assessment, the seized gold is estimated to be worth around Tk1 crore.
The agency said legal action is being taken under the Customs Act and criminal proceedings are also being initiated against the passenger.
CIID said it will continue intelligence-led surveillance and enforcement operations to curb the smuggling of gold and other contraband through the country’s international airports.
