Staff Reporter:
An aircraft of Biman Bangladesh Airlines has been seized on charges of carrying smuggled gold at the Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram.
Alongside, 20 gold bars have also been seized in the incident.
The National Security Intelligence (NSI), the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID), and security personnel of the airport on Thursday morning raided a Biman flight (BG-148) which arrived from Dubai.
Shah Amanat International Airport Public Relations Officer Md Ibrahim Khalil said the gold bars, weighing 2.320kg, wrapped with black tape, were kept hidden under a seat (9J) of the aircraft (Boeing 777-ER).
The joint drive seized the bars worth Tk2.60 crore and detained passenger Atia Samia, a resident of Boalia in Rajshahi city.
Officials said Samia works as a salesperson at a shop “Ocean Gold & Diamond Jewellery” in the United Arab Emirates. She also sells gold through online platforms in Bangladesh.
According to CIID officials, the gold bars were hidden in such a way that raised suspicion of the involvement of someone linked to the aircraft.
Additional Director General Md Minhaj Uddin of CIID Chattogram said the aircraft was seized under customs law. With this move, the airline would also be held accountable, he added.
