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Gold Smuggling Gangs Exploit International Airport Baggage Rules

by Barbara Miller

A large and sophisticated syndicate of gold smugglers has been exploiting loopholes in the baggage rules at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to smuggle gold into and out of the country. This illicit trade takes advantage of the regulations governing how much gold passengers can bring back from overseas. While the law permits travelers to bring in a limited amount of gold for personal use, these smugglers have found ways to circumvent the rules, often relying on unsuspecting passengers to carry gold into the country, which is then handed over to a network of smugglers. This vast operation has become a significant challenge for authorities, leading to increased scrutiny and investigations.

The Role of Passengers in the Smuggling Syndicate

Customs authorities have begun cracking down on the growing trend of passengers being used as unwitting or complicit couriers for gold smuggling. These individuals, many of whom frequently travel to countries like Dubai or Saudi Arabia, bring in gold that is later passed on to smugglers for further export. A growing list of individuals has been identified as regular carriers of gold, and investigations are underway to apprehend them and dismantle the syndicate.

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National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman, Abdur Rahman Khan, has acknowledged the problem and mentioned that measures are being taken to automate customs procedures at HSIA to improve detection and enforcement. He revealed that the government is considering a tiered system of action against offenders, including restrictions on their ability to travel abroad if they are caught repeatedly violating the rules.

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The Syndicate’s Operations

A detailed investigation uncovered a list of 20 individuals, predominantly from Munshiganj and other areas of Bangladesh, who are believed to regularly participate in gold smuggling. Among them, Siraj from Shilimpur, Munshiganj, is a notorious figure within the village, known for his involvement in the gold trade. According to local residents, Siraj has a reputation for stealing gold while working as a carrier, adding an illicit dimension to his smuggling activities. However, despite his criminal activities, Siraj continues to operate without significant intervention.

When this correspondent visited Siraj’s village, local residents expressed fear, possibly due to their own involvement or knowledge of his activities. One villager, Liton, stated that Siraj had been bringing gold into the country for years and was suspected of involvement in other illegal activities. Despite several attempts, Siraj was not available for comment, and his family denied knowledge of his whereabouts. However, they did admit that he was involved in the gold trade.

Similar investigations into other suspects, such as Almas Bepari from Dakshin Mahakali and Mokhlesur Rahman from Bhattacharya Bagh, revealed that they, too, were deeply embedded in the gold smuggling syndicate. Almas Bepari, currently in Dubai, admitted to bringing gold into the country but denied any involvement in the ongoing smuggling activities, even though he was evasive when questioned about the details of his operations. These individuals represent a small fraction of a larger network of smugglers operating across Bangladesh.

Discrepancies in Financial Resources Raise Suspicion

One of the most telling aspects of the investigation was the identification of individuals who did not have the financial means to afford regular international travel. Several of those suspected of gold smuggling, including people from towns such as Sarail in Brahmanbaria and Pakundia in Kishoreganj, have traveled to Dubai and other foreign destinations multiple times a month. Despite having limited financial resources and a lack of visible means of income, these individuals are able to afford expensive international trips. This raises serious questions about their sources of income and their role in the broader gold smuggling operation.

Gold Imports and Smuggling Statistics

According to customs records, Bangladesh legally imports around 4,000 kg of gold annually, with the appropriate taxes paid for these imports. However, the amount of gold that enters the country through illegal channels is likely far higher. Over the past five years, customs officials estimate that approximately 20,000 kg of gold has been smuggled into Bangladesh. This indicates the scale of the issue and highlights the difficulty in curbing such widespread smuggling operations.

In recent years, the government has implemented stricter rules regarding gold imports. For example, the limit for passengers bringing in gold bars has been reduced from two to one. Customs officials have expressed that as long as the proper taxes are paid on the gold, there are no issues. However, they have little control over what happens to the gold once it enters the country, leading to the rise in smuggling cases.

Customs and Law Enforcement Agencies Respond

Al-Amin, Joint Commissioner of Customs at HSIA, explained that while customs regulations govern the entry of gold, it is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to prevent the smuggling of gold once it enters the country. He confirmed that gold smuggling remains a significant problem, but emphasized that customs officers can only monitor the entry point of the gold and cannot track its subsequent movement.

To address the growing problem of gold smuggling, the Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) has stepped up its operations. BGB Deputy Director General Colonel Mohammad Shariful Islam confirmed that his agency is taking a hard stance against smuggling activities, including gold, through operations that involve both BGB’s own intelligence resources as well as collaborations with other law enforcement agencies. These operations aim to disrupt smuggling rings and prevent the illegal export of gold from the country.

Concerns from the Jewellery Industry

The issue of gold smuggling has also sparked concerns among local jewelers. Masudur Rahman, spokesperson for the Bangladesh Jewellery Association, commented on the negative impact of gold being smuggled out of the country. He stated that if the gold were to remain in the country, it would not only benefit the local economy but also help reduce the price of gold for domestic consumers. However, the ongoing smuggling activities are driving up prices and depriving the local market of valuable resources.

Challenges in Eradicating Smuggling Rings

Despite the best efforts of law enforcement agencies, gold smuggling rings continue to flourish due to the high demand for gold both in Bangladesh and abroad. The significant profits to be made from smuggling gold have incentivized individuals to take risks and exploit weaknesses in the country’s customs and border control systems. The collaboration between smugglers, corrupt passengers, and border officials makes it increasingly difficult to dismantle these criminal networks.

As investigations continue, authorities are focusing on improving detection systems at the airport, increasing surveillance, and implementing stricter regulations for both passengers and customs officials. However, without a comprehensive approach to target all elements of the smuggling operation, it is likely that the problem will persist, putting both the economy and the security of Bangladesh at risk.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead

The government of Bangladesh, along with law enforcement agencies, faces an uphill battle in tackling the smuggling of gold through Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. While strides have been made in automating customs procedures and monitoring travel patterns, the entrenched nature of the smuggling syndicates means that the problem remains a significant challenge. Collaborative efforts among local and international agencies will be crucial in curbing the flow of illegal gold and ensuring that the country’s gold trade operates within the bounds of the law. Until then, the smuggling rings will continue to exploit the system, taking advantage of weak enforcement and regulatory loopholes.

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