The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) has foiled an attempt to smuggle around 1.5 kg of gold through Chattogram's Shah Amanat International Airport, seizing the consignment worth an estimated Tk 3 crore, officials said on Monday.

Acting on intelligence inputs, officials of the CIID regional office in Chattogram kept a close watch on a Bangladeshi passenger, identified as Mohammad Tusar, 33, who arrived from Dubai on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight (BG148).

Following his arrival, a joint surveillance operation was conducted by officials from the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), National Security Intelligence (NSI), Customs House and CIID.

During a body search at the customs hall, officials recovered around 1,400 grams of 24-carat gold paste, including packing materials, concealed inside the passenger’s underwear using a specially designed method. They also seized five gold bangles weighing about 100 grams.

In total, approximately 1,500 grams of gold were recovered. The seized gold has an estimated market value of around Tk 3 crore.

According to the CIID, preliminary investigation suggests that the suspect attempted to evade airport security and customs checks by converting the gold into paste and concealing it inside his underwear.

However, the smuggling attempt was thwarted through intelligence-based surveillance and coordinated action by the law enforcement and customs agencies.

Legal proceedings are underway against the passenger under 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’s 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 and that such operations will continue.