Staff Correspondent

Airport Armed Police Battalion (APBn) have detained three people with 861.8 grams of gold jewellery, equivalent to around 74 bhori, at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

The detainees were identified as Md Nasir Molla, 40, Sohag Sheikh, 24, and Md Hasan Mia, 23.

According to APBn, the three were seen moving suspiciously on the footpath on the northern side of the airport roundabout late Thursday night.

Sensing the presence of police, they allegedly tried to flee discreetly, but APBn personnel detained them.

A body search led to the recovery of 861.8 grams of gold jewellery in their possession. The jewellery was made of 21- and 22-carat gold and had an estimated market value of Tk 1,36,86,160.

During preliminary interrogation, the detainees reportedly said the jewellery had been brought into Bangladesh from different countries through unidentified passengers for the purpose of smuggling.

APBn said the three had allegedly been involved in gold smuggling at the airport for a long time.

A regular case was filed against them with the Airport Police Station on Thursday.

The case alleges that the three, in collusion with one another and with the assistance of unidentified passengers, brought the gold into the country illegally for smuggling while evading government revenue and kept it in their possession.

Mohammad Rezaul Kabir, superintendent of police of Airport (13) APBn, said the force remains committed to maintaining security at the airport and preventing crime.

“We remain active and vigilant in preventing smuggling and controlling other crimes. Airport APBn is determined to prevent gold and drug smuggling, and our operations to stop any form of smuggling through the airport will continue,” he said.