Dhaka:The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) has seized six gold eggs weighing 2.728 kilograms and with an estimated value of Tk 4.91 crore during two separate operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The operations uncovered an attempt to return the gold to Abu Dhabi after failing to secure the expected sale price in Bangladesh.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, CIID officials, acting on a tip-off, offloaded passenger Mohammad Minhaj from a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight, BG-127, which was scheduled to depart for Abu Dhabi via Chattogram at 720 pm. Minhaj was suspected of carrying gold. With his cooperation, officials recovered three gold eggs weighing 1.364 kilograms.
In a separate operation, CIID seized another three gold eggs, also weighing 1.364 kilograms, from the airport's boarding bridge area, where they had allegedly been left behind.
During preliminary interrogation, those involved revealed that they had previously brought the gold eggs from Abu Dhabi to Bangladesh. However, due to unsuccessful sales attempts at expected prices in the local market, they were trying to return the gold to Abu Dhabi.
The total weight of the gold eggs seized in both operations amounted to 2.728 kilograms, with an estimated market value of Tk 4.91 crore. The CIID is currently investigating the actual source of the gold, the roles of those involved, and potential gold-smuggling networks with international connections. Legal proceedings related to the seizures are underway.