Bangladesh customs authorities have seized 2.73 kilograms of gold worth approximately MVR 5 million from two Bangladeshi nationals who arrived in Dhaka from the Maldives, after discovering that the precious metal had been concealed inside their bodies.
The seizure was made on October 18 at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka during an operation conducted by Bangladesh’s Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID).
According to Bangladeshi media reports, the two passengers had travelled from the Maldives aboard a US-Bangla Airlines flight when they were intercepted by customs officials for further inspection.
The individuals were identified as Mohamed Sulaiman and Jobaid Ahmed, both Bangladeshi nationals.
During the inspection, authorities discovered that the men had allegedly attempted to smuggle gold into Bangladesh by concealing specially prepared pieces of the metal inside their rectums.
The gold had reportedly been processed into a paste and moulded into egg-shaped pieces to make it easier to conceal during international travel.
Customs officials subsequently recovered three pieces of gold from each passenger, bringing the total seizure to 2.73 kilograms.
Bangladeshi authorities estimated the value of the confiscated gold at approximately BDT 4 crore, equivalent to around MVR 5 million.
The discovery highlights the increasingly elaborate methods used by individuals attempting to transport undeclared gold across international borders.
Gold smuggling has remained a persistent concern for customs authorities in Bangladesh, where officials regularly intercept passengers attempting to bring precious metals into the country without complying with applicable import and declaration requirements.
Smuggling operations have involved a variety of concealment techniques, ranging from hiding gold within luggage and household items to transporting it in specially prepared forms that are more difficult to identify during routine inspections.
Gold paste is one such method, allowing smugglers to alter the physical appearance of the metal before concealing it in clothing, personal belongings or other locations.
In some cases, individuals have attempted to transport gold internally, a practice that presents serious health risks in addition to potential criminal consequences.
The latest incident involved passengers travelling from the Maldives, although Bangladeshi authorities have not disclosed where the gold was originally obtained or whether the two individuals had any additional connections to suspected smuggling networks.
The fact that the passengers departed from the Maldives does not necessarily establish that the gold originated in the country.
According to Bangladeshi customs officials, enhanced monitoring and screening of passengers considered to present a higher risk of smuggling remain central to efforts to prevent the illegal movement of gold through international airports.
Authorities have been conducting targeted inspections to identify suspicious travel patterns and detect undeclared precious metals entering the country.
The seizure involving the two passengers from the Maldives was not the only gold smuggling incident reported in Bangladesh on October 18.
Earlier that morning, customs officials at Shah Amanat International Airport intercepted another Bangladeshi national who had arrived from Abu Dhabi.
During an inspection of the passenger’s belongings, authorities discovered gold bars concealed inside a cooking pan and a vegetable grater.
The separate incident demonstrated another method of concealment, with gold hidden within ordinary household utensils in an apparent attempt to avoid detection.
Both seizures took place at major international airports serving Bangladesh, underscoring the challenges faced by customs authorities in monitoring the movement of valuable commodities through passenger travel.
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka is the country’s principal international aviation gateway, handling flights from destinations across Asia, the Middle East and other regions.
The airport serves a substantial number of Bangladeshi nationals travelling for employment, business and personal reasons, including passengers arriving from countries with significant Bangladeshi expatriate populations.
The Maldives is home to a large Bangladeshi expatriate workforce, with regular air connections facilitating travel between the two countries.
Customs authorities in Bangladesh have continued to strengthen passenger screening and intelligence-led inspections as part of their efforts to prevent undeclared gold from entering the domestic market.
Officials have not disclosed whether additional individuals are being investigated in connection with the 2.73-kilogram seizure or whether further action has been taken against the two passengers.
