The Airport Armed Police Battalion (AAPBn) arrested a couple with 1.5 kg of gold at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka.

They are identified as Farooq (52) and Rani Akhter.

Mohammad Ziaul Haque, Additional Superintendent of Police of AAPBn, confirmed this information to the media on Monday night.

He said that early this morning, the joint raid team of AAPBn and NSI saw the accused roaming suspiciously in the multi-story car parking area. At 4:40 am, the members of AAPBn and NSI arrested them.

Sensing the presence of APBN and NSI, they were trying to escape but were apprehended by the law enforcers. After that, in front of Terminal No. 1 of the airport, the law enforcers recovered 6 pieces of gold chain, 9 pieces of bangles, and 2 pieces of gold ornaments wrapped in white tissue from the right and left pockets of Farooq’s pant. The estimated value is Tk 70 lakh, 4 thousand, 8 hundred, he said. 

Ziaul Haque further informed that 60 pieces of gold bangles wrapped in white tissue, 9 pieces of gold rings, 5 pieces of earrings, 1 piece of basset, 5 pieces of necklace, 4 pieces of locket, and 3 pieces of chain were found in a lady's bag in the hand of the other accused, Rani Akhtar. The total weight of it is 801 grams. And the market price is Tk 70 lakh, 48 thousand, 8 hundred.

During the interrogation, they could not show any valid documents.

It was learnt that they have been smuggling gold for a long time and are active members of the gold smuggling gang. Besides, they received the gold from a person named Emdad.

In addition, there is information that the gold was sent to the country by a Saudi expatriate Sulaiman, evading government tax. Then the gold came to Emdad, and Emdad gave it to the accused.

A case under the Special Powers Act has been registered against the accused couple at the Airport Police Station.