Airport Armed Police Battalion (APBn) members detained six alleged members of a gold smuggling syndicate and recovered nearly 600 grams of gold jewellery from their possession at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka early Thursday.
The detainees were identified as Md Monir Hossain, 32, Kazi Masud, 23, Saidul Islam, 26, Ilias Khan, 33, Sabbir Mia, 22, and Md Kamal Hossain, 44.
According to an APBn statement, the suspects were found loitering suspiciously near the southern side of the government open parking area in front of the airport at around 4:30am.
Sensing the presence of law enforcers, they allegedly attempted to flee in a microbus. APBn personnel chased and detained them.
The detainees were later taken to the APBn office, where a body search led to the recovery of 597.3 grams of gold jewellery.
Officials said all recovered items were made of 22-carat gold and had an estimated market value of Tk 9.44 million.
During preliminary interrogation, APBn members learned that the gold jewellery had allegedly been smuggled into Bangladesh through unidentified passengers arriving from different countries.
The detainees had reportedly been working as receivers for an airport-based gold smuggling network for a long period, according to the APBn.
A regular case has been filed against them with Airport Police Station.
APBn Superintendent of Police Mohammad Rezaul Kabir said the force remained active in preventing smuggling and other crimes in and around the airport.
“Airport APBn is committed to preventing all forms of illegal activities, including gold and drug smuggling. Our operations and intelligence activities will continue to stop any smuggling attempt using the airport,” he said.
