DHAKA, Nov.13 (V7N) – Customs intelligence officials have seized gold bars, 35 smartphones and other goods worth Taka 1.12 crore in three separate operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, amid signs of a growing trend of smuggling gold and smartphones in small consignments through passenger baggage.

The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) said its A-shift team seized goods worth Taka 1,12,76,834 during the three drives conducted on November 12, 2026.

In the first operation, officials recovered a 171-gram gold bar, along with cosmetics, food items and medicines, from the baggage of passenger Md Abul Hossain, who arrived in Dhaka on US-Bangla Airlines flight BS218 from Bangkok. The seized goods were valued at approximately Taka 35.70 lakh.

In the second operation, officials recovered a 300-gram gold bar, 35 smartphones of Samsung, Honor and Realme brands, 36 kilograms of soap and 6.375 kilograms of cosmetics from the baggage of passenger Shah Alam Aziz, who arrived on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG389 from Bangkok.

After allowing the passenger to bring in 100 grams of gold under the applicable baggage facility, subject to payment of the prescribed duties and taxes and the required passport endorsement, customs officials seized the remaining gold and other excess goods. The seized items were valued at approximately Taka 55.30 lakh.

In a separate operation on the same flight, officials recovered a 200-gram gold bar and 40.48 kilograms of soap from the baggage of passenger Umma Hani. After allowing 100 grams of gold under the baggage facility, officials seized the remaining gold and excess goods, valued at approximately Taka 21.77 lakh, according to a CIID press release.

The CIID said the increasing incidents of bringing gold and smartphones in small consignments indicate an emerging risk of organised smuggling and customs duty evasion. Although individual consignments may appear relatively small, their cumulative impact could cause significant revenue losses, the directorate observed.

It added that it has strengthened intelligence surveillance and enforcement operations to tackle changing smuggling techniques and protect government revenue.

END/AJ/RH