Acting on a specific tip-off, Dhaka Customs House received intelligence around 9:35 pm on 2 September regarding potential contraband aboard Flydubai flight FZ-523, operating from Dubai to Dhaka. Customs personnel swiftly coordinated with various intelligence agencies stationed at the airport to secure the aircraft and carry out a targeted search upon its arrival.

Officers boarded the aircraft around 9:40 pm after all passengers had disembarked. During a thorough inspection of the cabin, search teams discovered two packages wrapped tightly in black adhesive tape concealed beneath passenger seat 19A. The packages were retrieved and transported to the airport customs hall for formal inventorying in the presence of representatives from multiple law enforcement and intelligence bodies.

Upon opening the packages, officials catalogued 80 individual gold bars weighing a total of 9,331 grammes. National Board of Revenue (NBR) officials noted that the gold was brought into the country to evade official customs duties and taxes. Because the contraband was abandoned under a seat, no arrests were made at the scene.

The seized bullion has been placed in the airport customs house’s secure vault for temporary custody. Procedures are underway to transfer the precious metal to the central vault of Bangladesh Bank in accordance with statutory regulations.

Airport Police have registered a criminal case regarding the incident, and law enforcement agencies have initiated an investigation to identify the smuggling syndicate responsible for placing the gold aboard the flight. The NBR reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining rigorous surveillance and intelligence-led operations across international entry points to combat illegal trade and protect the national economy.