Cox’s Bazar, Aug 24 (V7N) — The Coast Guard has detained two people in Cox’s Bazar on allegations of attempting to smuggle gold into the country while evading customs duties.

The authorities seized 31 bhori of gold jewellery, valued at around Tk 75 lakh, along with four mobile phones, cash, Saudi riyals and three ATM cards issued by banks in Saudi Arabia.

The detainees were identified as Md Azim, 33, son of Md Belal of Ghonarpara area in Ward No. 9 of Choufal Dandi Union under Cox’s Bazar Sadar Upazila, and Md Faruk, 28, son of the late Lal Mohammad of the same area.

They were detained during an operation near the New Fishery Ghat area adjacent to Cox’s Bazar Airport at around 7pm on Saturday.

Coast Guard Operation Officer Lieutenant Commander Arafat Hossain disclosed the information at a press briefing at the Coast Guard Cox’s Bazar station office on Sunday afternoon.

According to the Coast Guard, its members increased surveillance around the airport after receiving information that a consignment of gold was being transported inland through Cox’s Bazar Airport without paying applicable customs duties.

Later, Coast Guard personnel noticed suspicious movement of a motorcycle in the New Fishery Ghat area and signalled it to stop. The riders allegedly attempted to flee, but Coast Guard members pursued them, seized the motorcycle and detained the two men.

A search of a bag carried by the detainees led to the recovery of 31 bhori of gold jewellery. The Coast Guard also recovered four mobile phones, Tk 5,742 in cash, 10 Saudi riyals and three Saudi Arabian ATM cards.

Lieutenant Commander Arafat Hossain said the detainees told investigators during preliminary questioning that the gold consignment had been brought into Bangladesh from Dubai through various channels for sale in the local market while evading customs duties. They also allegedly admitted to being involved in gold smuggling on several previous occasions.

However, Azim and Faruk claimed that they had brought the gold from Saudi Arabia and had relevant documents with them.

The Coast Guard said a case had been filed against the two detainees with Cox’s Bazar Sadar Police Station under the relevant laws.

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