DHAKA, Aug 3, 2026 (BSS) - Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID), Chattogram Regional Office has foiled an attempt to smuggle gold concealed in an unusual manner by a passenger arriving from Dubai through Hazrat Shah Amanat International Airport.

Acting on a tip-off, CIID officials kept Bangladesh national Mohammad Tusar, 33, under surveillance after he arrived on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG148 from Dubai today, according to an official statement of NBR.

Based on intelligence inputs, a joint surveillance team comprising officials of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), National Security Intelligence (NSI) and Customs House monitored the passenger after his arrival.

During a body search at the customs hall, officials recovered around 1,400 grams of 24-carat gold paste (including packing materials) and five gold bangles weighing about 100 grams, which had been specially concealed inside the passenger's underwear.

In total, approximately 1.5 kilograms of gold was seized. The estimated market value of the confiscated gold is Tk 3 crore.

Officials also seized the passenger's passport, a Redmi mobile phone (Model: 23021RAAEG) and his boarding pass.

Preliminary investigation suggests that the smuggler attempted to evade airport security by converting gold into paste and concealing it inside his underwear using a specially designed method. However, the bid was thwarted due to intelligence-led surveillance and coordinated action by the law enforcement agencies.

Legal proceedings are underway against the accused under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 2023, the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1947, the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, 1950, the Import Policy Order 2021-2024, Bangladesh Bank FE Circular No. 06, and the Special Powers Act, 1974.

The CIID said intelligence surveillance at international airports has been further strengthened to prevent the smuggling of gold and other contraband, adding that such drives will continue in the future.