Dhaka:Customs intelligence officials have seized gold bars, 35 smartphones, and other goods worth Taka 1.12 crore in three separate operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. This comes amid indications of a growing trend of smuggling gold and smartphones in small consignments through passenger baggage.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) conducted three separate drives with its A-shift team on November 12, 2026, seizing goods valued at Taka 1,12,76,834.
In one operation, officials recovered a 171-gram gold bar along with cosmetics, food items, and medicines from the baggage of passenger Md Abul Hossain, who arrived in Dhaka on US-Bangla Airlines flight BS218 from Bangkok. The seized goods were valued at approximately Taka 35.70 lakh.
In another operation, a 300-gram gold bar, 35 smartphones from brands such as Samsung, Honor, and Realme, along with 36 kilograms of soap and 6.375 kilograms of cosmetics, were recovered from the baggage of passenger Shah Alam Aziz, who arrived on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG389 from Bangkok. After allowing the passenger to bring in 100 grams of gold under the applicable baggage facility, customs officials seized the remaining gold and other excess goods, valued at approximately Taka 55.30 lakh.
In a separate operation on the same flight, officials recovered a 200-gram gold bar and 40.48 kilograms of soap from the baggage of passenger Umma Hani. After allowing 100 grams of gold under the baggage facility, officials seized the remaining gold and excess goods, valued at approximately Taka 21.77 lakh.
The CIID noted that the increasing incidents of bringing gold and smartphones in small consignments indicate an emerging risk of organized smuggling and customs duty evasion. Although individual consignments may appear small, their cumulative impact could cause significant revenue losses. In response, the directorate has strengthened intelligence surveillance and enforcement operations to tackle changing smuggling techniques and protect government revenue.