A Dhaka court on Thursday placed two Chinese nationals on a seven-day remand for allegedly smuggling 12kg of gold paste concealed in their trousers and underwear after arriving from Dubai.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Ripon Hossain passed the order following a petition filed by Md Mazedul Islam, a sub-inspector of Airport Police Station and the investigation officer in the case.
Md Saiful Islam, a sub-inspector of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Prosecution Division, confirmed the matter.
The accused were identified as Chen Liun and Mo Xiaoyu.
As they attempted to pass through the green channel without declaring any baggage, customs officials questioned them and searched their belongings. The search revealed soft, yellow, paste-like substances concealed inside their jeans and underwear, which had been specially stitched with black fabric.
The substances were recovered by cutting open the clothing in the presence of members of the National Security Intelligence (NSI), Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) and other agencies.
A preliminary examination by a goldsmith identified the substances as 24-carat gold. The case statement said around 6kg of gold paste was recovered from each accused, totalling approximately 12kg. However, the gold's purity has yet to be confirmed through chemical testing.
Two mobile phones, the clothing used to conceal the substances, adhesive tape and other evidence were also seized.
According to the case statement, the accused failed to produce valid documents for carrying the gold consignment. They were subsequently charged with gold smuggling.
Jamil Sarwar Ahad, an assistant revenue officer (Preventive) at Customs House, filed the case with Airport Police Station under relevant provisions of the Import and Export (Control) Act, 1950, the Customs Act, 2023, and the Special Powers Act, 1974.
The investigation officer sought a 10-day remand to question the accused and identify others involved in the alleged smuggling operation. After hearing the petition, the court granted seven days of remand.
