United News of Bangladesh

Customs officials seized nine gold bars, weighing 1.049 kg, from a Biman Bangladesh Airlines employee at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Thursday night. The gold, estimated to be worth around Tk 2.10 crore, was recovered from Obaidur Rahman during a body search by the airport unit of Dhaka Customs House around 11:20pm, according to a press release issued by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) on Friday. With assistance from Aviation Security (AVSEC) and in the presence of officials from other intelligence agencies, customs officials conducted a body search of Obaidur and found the gold bars wrapped in tissue paper in his shirt pocket and around his waist belt. The recovered gold weighed 1,049.40 grammes, the NBR said. Based on information provided by Obaidur during preliminary questioning, customs officials also detained a passenger for questioning. Legal proceedings under the Customs Act, 2023 and other relevant laws are underway, the NBR said.

Customs intelligence officials have seized 1.812 kg of gold bars and sheets worth around  Tk 3.73 crore from a vehicle in the outer roundabout area of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka. Acting on a tip-off, officials of the Air Freight Circle of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) with assistance from intelligence agencies present at the scene, stopped the vehicle for a search. The driver, identified as Md Shamim Miah, abandoned the vehicle and fled when it was stopped for inspection, according to CIID officials. After search 14 gold bars and 12 pieces of gold sheets were recovered. A further search recovered three mobile phones, including a new iPhone 17 Pro and two used phones, Tk 1,07,585 in cash, a used laptop, eight debit and credit cards of different banks, two driving licences and a National Identity Card, among other items. The seized items were subsequently inventoried at the Customs Hall by CIID officials and employees.