Sixteen Kilograms of Gold Seized from Fruit Crates at Dhaka Airport

Customs officials and intelligence personnel have intercepted a major gold smuggling attempt at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. A joint operation conducted at the airport’s cargo village resulted in the seizure of at least 16 kilograms of gold bars. The contraband was hidden using sophisticated techniques inside imported fruit crates. The Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) and the Dhaka Customs House Preventive Team executed the raid following a targeted tip-off.

The operation took place on Sunday, 19 July 2026. Acting on precise intelligence reports, the joint team established a secure perimeter around the import zone of the cargo village, focusing on a specific consignment of imported fruits. Upon examining the wooden and plastic crates, officers noticed discrepancies in their structural design and weight distribution. A thorough physical inspection and scanning process revealed metallic substances concealed within secret compartments built into the bases of the crates.

Customs personnel dismantled the modified sections of the crates to recover the high-purity gold bars. Initial assessments suggest that an international smuggling syndicate was attempting to exploit commercial perishable fruit shipments to bypass standard airport customs protocols. The market value of the seized gold bars is estimated to be worth millions of Bangladeshi Taka.

Law enforcement agencies and airport authorities have initiated a comprehensive inquiry to identify the individuals and businesses involved in the shipment. Investigators are currently scrutinising import documentation, bills of entry, and airway bills to trace the exact origin of the fruit consignment and uncover the local clearing and forwarding (C&F) agents or importing firms linked to the address.

Security has been intensified across the cargo village and adjacent terminals following the incident. Surveillance footage from the airport’s security network is being reviewed to track the movement of individuals who had access to the cargo area. The Dhaka Customs House confirmed that legal proceedings under the Customs Act have been initiated, and a specialised committee will be formed to uncover the wider network behind the smuggling operation. Further operational details are expected to be disclosed at a formal press briefing once the initial phase of the investigation is complete.