Tk 3.72 crore gold found in car at Shahjalal, driver flees

Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate recovered gold worth approximately Tk 3.72 crore from a suspicious car near the roundabout outside Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. During the raid, the driver, Md Shamim Mia, fled the scene.

Customs Intelligence sources said based on secret information, a suspicious car was stopped for search near the roundabout outside the airport. Sensing the situation, driver Shamim Mia abandoned the vehicle and fled. Later, with assistance from various intelligence agencies, officials and staff of the Airfreight Circle of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate searched the car, recovering 14 gold bars and 12 gold plates.

Customs Intelligence said the recovered gold weighed a total of 1,812 grams, approximately 155.35 bhori. Testing at the Customs House Dhaka gold testing machine confirmed the gold to be 24 carat. The estimated market value of the recovered gold is Tk 3,72,72,892.

Further search of the car recovered three mobile phones, Tk 1,07,585 in cash, a used laptop, eight debit and credit cards from various banks, two driving licences and a national identity card, among other items.

Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate has completed inventory of the recovered gold and other goods at the customs house.

Customs Intelligence sources said investigations are underway to determine who else was involved in the incident and where the large quantity of gold was brought from and where it was being taken. The process of filing a case with the Airport Police Station against those involved is ongoing.