Airport Armed Police members recovered illegally brought 6.3 kg gold bars from a Bangladeshi passenger today at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. In this connection, one Delwar Hossain (42) has been arrested with some other illegally brought electronic goods.
Delwar Hossain arrived Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the morning by an Emirates flight from Dubai. Acting on tip off, Airport Armed Police forced the passenger to scan his bag at the green channel. While his baggage being scanned, Delwar Hossain tried to flee from the spot. At that very moment, Airport Armed Police members arrested him. After searching his body, police recovered 54 Gold biscuits which weighed about 6.3 kg worth around Bangladeshi Taka 2.5 crore. Besides this, Police and Custom Authority found 40 latest model cell phones (hidden inside a TV box) which worth around BDT 20 lacs.
In primary interrogation, Delwar admitted to police that he brought the Gold and other goods from Dubai and these consignment was brought in this way to avoid customs.
Gold and other goods was deposited to the valuables storage of Customs authority and Customs authority lodged a First Information Report with the local Airport Police station in this connection against the arrested Delwar Hossain to initiate the thorough investigation process. Arrested Delwar hails from Shariatpur District, sources confirmed.
According to the sources, a number of syndicates bring Gold biscuits illegally to avoid customs tax and uses different persons to carry these consignments. After bringing these gold biscuits, they are distributed among a good number of Jewellers who are the main beneficiary of such acts. Like Delwar, a good number of frequent flyers are involved in such smuggling business who are basically the carrier only. According to the existing law of the country, a person can carry 200 grams of Gold while entering into the country without paying any customs or tax. But beyond this limit, customs duty is to be imposed on gold and these smuggling syndicates try to get away without paying any taxes.
Beside this latest haul of 6.3 kg gold, Airport Armed Police members seized 1.5 kg gold on February 22, 2013, 7 kg gold on January 7, 2013 and 13.6 kg gold on September 10, 2012.