Gold Glut Grabbed: 18kg Smuggled Bullion Seized at Dhaka Airport
Approximately 18 kilograms of gold were seized in a concealed condition, wrapped in white cloth and hidden inside a panel of the toilet in the cargo compartment of Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG 348, which arrived from Dubai late at night on Saturday, 28 March, at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The estimated market value of the 24-carat gold is around Tk 46 crore.
In this connection, Customs has filed a case with the Airport Police Station. Although no individual has been named in the First Information Report (FIR), it has been learned that the digital devices of four out of seven officials from various levels of the airline—who were under intelligence surveillance in connection with the incident—have been seized and are undergoing forensic examination.
Sources related to the investigation revealed that, through information technology and their own inquiries, those involved in the gold smuggling and its intended destinations will be identified very soon.
According to sources, in addition to intelligence agencies, a team from the police is also working on the investigation. They have already collected the identities of those involved in operating the flight, including the captain and cabin crew. At the same time, information has also been gathered about those responsible for ground handling at the airport. They are also working to uncover the mystery behind the incident.
DBTech/BTO/EK/OR
