Gold Worth Tk1 Crore Seized from Passenger at Ctg Airport

Bangla Press Desk:  Customs intelligence officials have seized 531 grammes of gold – 425 grammes in a 24-carat gold bar and 106 grammes in jewellery – from a passenger arriving from Oman at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram.

The seized gold was estimated to be worth Tk 10.04 million (Tk 1.004 crore), including customs duties and taxes, according to the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID).

The passenger, identified as Mohammad Hasan Murad, arrived on a SalamAir flight from Muscat, Oman, on Friday and was intercepted by a CIID team during a special operation based on a tip-off, reports UNB, citing a press release.

During a search at the customs hall, officials found a paste-like substance resembling gold, wrapped in tape and concealed inside his baggage.

The substance was later processed by a goldsmith and yielded a 425-gramme 24-carat gold bar, officials said.

A further body search led to the recovery of 35 pieces of gold jewellery weighing 106 grammes from the pockets of the passenger’s trousers.

The seized gold weighed 531 grammes in total.

Customs intelligence officials said preparations were underway to file a case against the passenger with Patenga Police Station.

The CIID will investigate whether any other individuals or an organised smuggling network were involved in the attempted smuggling, as well as the source and intended destination of the gold, officials said.