Chattogram, Dec 26 (V7N)— The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Department has seized a Biman Bangladesh Airlines aircraft at Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport on charges of smuggling gold. Officials discovered 20 gold bars weighing 2 kg 330 grams, valued at approximately Tk 26 million, hidden under a seat on the plane.

The aircraft arrived at Shah Amanat International Airport from the United Arab Emirates earlier in the morning. After passengers disembarked, the plane departed for Dhaka's Shahjalal International Airport. The gold bars were found during an inspection of the aircraft.

This is the first time an aircraft has been seized at Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport on smuggling charges. Similar incidents have occurred in Dhaka, where two aircraft were seized about a decade ago.

Atiya Samia, a passenger occupying the seat under which the gold was found, has been arrested. She is a resident of the Boalia police station area in Rajshahi. According to customs officials, Samia works as a salesperson at Ocean Gold and Diamond Jewelry in the UAE and is also involved in online gold sales in Bangladesh.

Preparations are underway to file a case against Samia. Authorities continue to investigate the incident, and officials have vowed to take strict action against those involved in smuggling operations.

END/MSS/AJ