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DHAKA: Customs intelligence officials have recovered 80 gold bars concealed inside the shoes of two airline crew members at the runway of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.
The recovered gold weighs approximately 9.34 kilograms and is estimated to be worth around Tk 162.5 million (Tk 16.25 crore).
Acting on a tip-off, officials from the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) took up positions at the airport. The two crew members were stopped and searched after their movements appeared suspicious on the runway following the arrival of Emirates flight EK582 from Dubai.
During the search, officials found the gold bars specially concealed inside their shoes. A total of 80 bars were recovered, each weighing approximately 117 grams.
According to customs intelligence sources, concealing gold bars inside footwear is an unusual method of smuggling. Investigators are looking into who was behind the operation, where the gold was sourced and who was supposed to receive the shipment in Dhaka.
Officials initially suspect that an organized smuggling network may have used the airline crew members to transport the gold. Investigators are questioning those involved and examining whether others were connected to the shipment.
Legal proceedings against those involved are currently underway, according to the relevant authorities.
