Dhaka:The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) seized gold bars weighing 471 grammes, 35 smartphones, and other goods valued at approximately Tk 1.13 crore in three separate operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Thursday.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the CIID's A-shift team conducted these operations as part of an increased effort to prevent smuggling and customs duty evasion through passenger baggage. A press release issued on Friday detailed the seizures.
In one operation, 171 grammes of gold bars, along with cosmetics, food items, and medicines, were confiscated from the baggage of Md Abul Hossain, a passenger arriving from Bangkok on a US-Bangla Airlines flight. The estimated value of these goods was Tk 35.70 lakh.
In another operation, customs officials seized 300 grammes of gold bars, 35 smartphones from brands such as Samsung, Honor, and Realme, 36 kg of soap, and 6.375 kg of cosmetics from Shah Alam Aziz, another passenger from Bangkok who arrived on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight. After allowing 100 grammes of gold under passenger baggage facilities, the remaining items were seized, with an estimated value of Tk 55.30 lakh.
A separate search of passenger Umma Hani's baggage, who also arrived on the same Biman flight, resulted in the seizure of 200 grammes of gold bars and 40.48 kg of soap. With the allowance of 100 grammes of gold under baggage facilities, officials seized the excess goods, valued at approximately Tk 21.77 lakh.
The CIID highlighted a growing risk of smuggling gold and smartphones in small consignments, which collectively could lead to significant revenue losses. The directorate is investigating potential links to organized smuggling networks and has ramped up intelligence and operations to adapt to evolving smuggling techniques and safeguard government revenue.