Customs Intelligence
Smuggling on the rise at Shahjalal Airport, goods worth Tk 1.12 crore seized
Collected Photo
There are indications of a growing trend of smuggling gold and smartphones in small consignments concealed in passenger baggage through Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate has stepped up surveillance to prevent such smuggling and evasion of customs duties and taxes.
On Thursday, three separate operations conducted by the A-shift of Customs Intelligence resulted in the seizure of 471 grams of gold bars and 35 smartphones, along with various other goods worth a total of Tk 1,12,76,834.
According to Customs Intelligence sources, 171 grams of gold bars along with cosmetics, food items and medicines were seized after searching the baggage of passenger Md. Abul Hossain, who arrived on US-Bangla Airlines flight BS218 from Bangkok to Dhaka. The estimated value of the seized goods was Tk 35.70 lakh.
Meanwhile, 300 grams of gold bars, 35 smartphones of Samsung, Honor and Realme brands, 36 kilograms of soap and 6.375 kilograms of cosmetics were found in the baggage of passenger Shah Alam Aziz, who arrived on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG389 from Bangkok to Dhaka.
After applicable customs duties and taxes were collected and the required entries were made in the passenger’s passport, 100 grams of gold bars were released under the baggage allowance while the excess goods were seized. The estimated value of the seized goods was Tk 55.30 lakh.
In the baggage of another passenger, Umma Hani, who arrived on the same flight, officials found 200 grams of gold bars and 40.48 kilograms of soap. Under the baggage allowance, 100 grams of gold bars were released while the remaining gold and excess goods were seized. The estimated value of these goods was Tk 21.77 lakh.
According to Customs Intelligence observations, the trend of bringing gold and smartphones in small consignments indicates a new risk of smuggling. Although the quantities in individual consignments are relatively small, collectively they could result in substantial revenue losses. The possibility of organized smuggling syndicates being involved in these incidents needs to be investigated.
To address changing smuggling tactics and protect government revenue, the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate has intensified intelligence surveillance and operations. The agency remains vigilant against the transportation of illegal goods concealed in passenger baggage and the evasion of customs duties and taxes at the airport.
