Over 1,900kg of gold seized in five and a half years

The recovery of nearly 18.72kg of smuggled gold at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has once again highlighted the airport’s role as a major gateway for international gold smuggling syndicates.
A joint team comprising Customs Intelligence, Aviation Security (AVSEC), Customs and intelligence agencies recovered 160 gold bars weighing about 18.72kg from a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight that arrived in Dhaka from Dubai via Chattogram on Thursday.
Officials said the gold was recovered from the aircraft’s cargo hold following a tip-off. The bars had been concealed using a sophisticated method inside the cargo compartment.
No one has been arrested in connection with the seizure. Officials estimated the market value of the recovered gold at around Tk45 crore.
Security analysts said the latest haul bears the hallmarks of an organised international smuggling network rather than an isolated incident.
The seizure comes just over three months after authorities recovered another shipment of around 18kg of gold from a Biman flight arriving from Dubai on 28 March. 
Investigators noted striking similarities between the two incidents, including the airline used, the quantity of gold recovered and the concealment method.
On 11 June, the Airport Armed Police Battalion (APBN) arrested six members of an alleged gold smuggling syndicate with nearly 600 grams of smuggled gold jewellery. Police identified them as receivers responsible for collecting illegal consignments after arrival.

Shahjalal remains the main gateway
According to Dhaka Customs House, authorities have seized about 1,902kg of smuggled gold in more than 100 operations at Shahjalal Airport since 2021 – equivalent to about 47.5 maunds. 
Based on the Bangladesh Jewellers Association’s latest price for 22-carat gold, the seized metal is worth an estimated Tk3,728 crore.
Authorities recovered about 698kg of gold in FY2021-22, followed by 555kg in FY2022-23, 417kg in FY2023-24 and 169kg in FY2024-25. Another 63.5kg has been seized so far this year.
Airport Police Station records show that 540 cases have been filed over alleged gold smuggling during the period. 
However, most cases were lodged against unidentified persons because investigators failed to arrest the couriers.
Officials and crime analysts say the figures indicate that Shahjalal Airport has become Bangladesh’s principal gateway for international gold smuggling, particularly for syndicates operating from Dubai. 
Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram and Osmani International Airport in Sylhet have also emerged as important entry points.

Why smugglers favour the route
Investigators say most consignments originate in the United Arab Emirates, particularly Dubai, although authorities have also intercepted gold arriving from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait.
They attribute the route’s popularity to frequent Middle East flights, heavy passenger traffic, comparatively lower gold prices abroad, strong domestic demand, tax evasion opportunities and Bangladesh’s role as both a destination market and a transit point.
Officials also note that India’s higher import duty on gold encourages syndicates to route consignments through Bangladesh before moving them across the border.
According to Customs Intelligence, around 70 active syndicates operating from the Middle East and Southeast Asia remain involved in the illegal trade.

Sophisticated concealment methods
Law enforcement agencies say smugglers are constantly adopting new methods to evade detection.
Authorities have recovered gold hidden inside aircraft toilets, cargo holds, waste trolleys, batteries, vacuum cleaners, electric motors, wheelchair frames, trolley handles, shoe soles, belt buckles, shirt collars, soap cases, medicine containers, laptop batteries and sound system adapters.
Investigators have also found gold concealed inside the human body or coated with black or silver paint to resemble ordinary metal. In some cases, smugglers wore gold bars as pendants.
Officials say criminal networks often recruit passengers as well as baggage handlers, cleaners, trolley operators and other airport workers to move consignments.

Identifying kingpins remains difficult
The latest case, like the March seizure, has been filed against unidentified suspects after investigators failed to identify or arrest the courier.
Investigators are examining whether any Biman Bangladesh Airlines employees assisted the operation or whether an organised network inside and outside the airport facilitated the smuggling.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines spokesperson Bosra Islam said the airline would not shield anyone involved in criminal activities and that those found responsible would face legal action.
Intelligence reports have also identified more than a dozen Bangladeshi nationals based in the Middle East and East Asia who allegedly coordinate international gold smuggling operations. 
The reports further mention the alleged involvement of some officials and employees of the Civil Aviation Authority, Customs, airport security, police and Ansar in facilitating the trade.
Officials say identifying the masterminds remains the biggest challenge because authorities often recover the gold without arresting those behind the operation. 
They stressed the need for stronger intelligence-sharing, advanced screening technology and closer international cooperation to dismantle smuggling syndicates rather than merely intercept individual consignments.

Surveillance strengthened
Authorities have stepped up surveillance at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport following the latest seizure.
Intelligence officials stationed at the airport said passenger screening meets international standards and that security is intensified whenever multiple international flights arrive within a short period. 
They said targeted searches are also conducted whenever specific intelligence is received.
Airport Executive Director SM Ragib Samad said surveillance is now stronger than ever.
“We are making every possible effort to keep the airport free from smugglers. Enhanced surveillance has enabled us to detect and seize more illegal gold consignments,” he said.
Muhammad Kamrul Hasan, additional commissioner of Dhaka Customs House, said authorities regularly seize smuggled gold and file criminal cases under the relevant laws.
He stressed that closer cooperation with authorities in Dubai and other source countries is essential to dismantle smuggling networks at their origin and prevent illegal consignments from reaching Bangladesh.