Gold smuggling through Chittagong Shah Amanat International Airport has seen a sudden escalation in recent times with a syndicate of international gold smugglers reportedly remaining active for long. Sources said at least 10 to 15 groups of local smugglers having link with the international syndicate bring in huge smuggled gold into the country from abroad through the airport which they think as a safe gateway for their activities. They continue gold smuggling with connivance of some dishonest officials and agents at the airport, sources concerned said.
Despite tight security measures being taken by the authorities, gold smuggling through the airport is increasing day by day. Almost every day, big consignments of smuggled gold enter the country through the airport but very few of them come to the notice of the law enforcers, the sources added.
The law enforcing agencies seized smuggled gold bars in a total of eight major hauls at Shah Amanat International Airport in the last three months.
Just after two days of the seizure of 15 kg smuggled gold and arrest of one Khairul Bashar in this connection on Monday, law enforcers in another haul on Wednesday morning seized huge gold bars weighing at least 8.5 kg from a flight at the airport.
The customs authorities also detained one person identified as Jamal Uddin for carrying the gold. Jamal Uddin boarded the flight (no—BG-048) of Bangladesh Biman which came from Dubai to Chittagong.
Law enforcers searched his language and seized the 8.5 kg gold bars.
Immigration police, customs department and intelligence agencies jointly conducted the raid seizing the gold bars. The seized gold bars numbering 75 will be worth around Tk 4 crore. Jamal Uddin was carrying the smuggled gold bars, police said.
Additional Commissioner of the Customs Department Mashiur Rahman said, activities of detained Jamal Uddin were suspicious and he was carrying the gold bars from Dubai to Chittagong.
“We managed to capture him red handed from the airport,” he added.
-With The Independent input
