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Intelligence agencies have uncovered the involvement of at least 25 gangs utilizing Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport as a conduit for smuggling foreign currency.
An inquiry into this matter is underway, with Minhaj Uddin, Additional Director General of Customs Intelligence, affirming the identification of these 25 gangs including money exchangers and the ongoing efforts to apprehend them.
To address the issue of money laundering at the airport, Dhaka Custom House has assembled a specialized team as they are diligently operating in three shifts to counter such illegal activities.
Collaborative efforts involving various intelligence agencies, including Customs Intelligence and the Airport Armed Police Battalion, have been intensified. Their recent proactive stance aligns with preventing money laundering during the 12th national parliament elections.
The efforts of customs authorities alone have resulted in substantial seizures of foreign currencies in the past two months, totaling approximately 50 crores in Bangladeshi taka. Notably, a recent seizure included 15,000 dollars intercepted by Customs last Sunday. Moreover, the Airport Armed Police confiscated over Tk 2 crore in Bangladeshi currency from a passenger heading to Singapore.
The vigilance of APBN officials led to the apprehension of Abdul Qadir, aged between 20 and 21 years old, who had attempted to transport a substantial amount of foreign currency hidden in a cleverly concealed compartment of his luggage. Despite initial oversight by civil aviation officials, the keen observation of an airport armed police officer brought the suspicious luggage to light. Subsequent investigation revealed a significant amount of foreign currency wrapped in a specialized manner within bottom part of the luggage, totaling over 2 crore 10 lakhs in Bangladeshi Taka.
In another accident, acting on a tip-off, customs authorities uncovered foreign currencies concealed within cartons of vegetables awaiting cargo at the airport. A diligent search unveiled 55 thousand Saudi riyals, approximately equivalent to 7 million Bangladeshi taka, hidden in a shipment destined for Malaysia. Additionally, Customs Intelligence authorities arrested an individual in possession of foreign currency valued at 1 crore 22 lakh in Bangladeshi taka.
The collective efforts of these agencies reflect a concerted commitment to combatting money laundering and illicit activities at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
An intelligence agency report has revealed the active involvement of approximately 25 local and foreign networks exploiting Shahjalal International Airport to smuggle substantial amounts of foreign currency each month. These syndicates maintain connections with various money exchanges, catering to the demands of smugglers by providing foreign currencies. The process involves accumulating currencies from multiple exchanges, which are later illicitly funneled into a unified location, often through collusion with airport officials.
The intelligence agency underscored two primary reasons behind this currency smuggling. Firstly, to evade revenue by displaying imported high-value items at lower-than-actual prices on invoices. Secondly, to sell these items at inflated rates within foreign black markets. Additionally, the report highlighted the smuggling of black money through foreign currencies.
Recent observations indicate a surge in currency smuggling at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, reminiscent of tactics used previously for gold smuggling, now adapted for coins.
Ziaul Haque Palash, Additional Superintendent of Police at Airport Armed Police Battalion, expressed concerns about smugglers exploiting the airport's vulnerabilities. Notably, the arrest of Abdul Qadir revealed his frequent visits to Singapore, suggesting his possible involvement in multiple coin smuggling incidents due to his youthful appearance and demeanor.
Palash noted, "At times, attractive young men and women are coerced into this illegal trade, lured by the promise of easy money."
To counter these activities, all airport organizations remain perpetually vigilant against money laundering and smuggling attempts, as stated by Palash.
Russell Ahmed, an officer from the Customs Authority, emphasized their proactive stance in preventing various forms of smuggling. Following the discovery of currency within vegetable cartons, heightened surveillance has been implemented in the cargo area. Furthermore, strict monitoring of passengers at both exit gates and arrival areas is being conducted.
Ahmed noted a significant increase in foreign currency seizures at the airport by multiple organizations over the last six months.
Minhaj Uddin, Additional Director General of Customs Intelligence, acknowledged the recent surge in currency smuggling and reiterated the heightened vigilance and continuous activity of their intelligence department.
Moshiur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner of Metropolitan Intelligence Police, highlighted the involvement of around 20 to 25 gangs in currency smuggling around the airport. Efforts are underway to bring these networks within the ambit of the law. Intelligence agencies have uncovered the involvement of at least 25 gangs utilising Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport as a conduit for smuggling foreign currency. An inquiry into this matter is underway, with Minhaj Uddin, Additional Director General of Customs Intelligence, affirming the identification of these 25 gangs and the ongoing efforts to apprehend them.
To address the issue of money laundering at the airport, Dhaka Custom House has assembled a specialised team. Civil teams are diligently operating in three shifts to counter such illegal activities.
Collaborative efforts involving various intelligence agencies, including Customs Intelligence and the Airport Armed Police Battalion, have intensified. Their recent proactive stance aligns with preventing money laundering during the 12th national parliament elections.
The efforts of customs authorities alone have resulted in substantial seizures of foreign currencies in the past two months, totaling approximately 50 crores in Bangladeshi taka. Notably, a recent seizure included 15,000 dollars intercepted by Customs last Sunday. Moreover, the Airport Armed Police confiscated over Tk 2 crore in Bangladeshi currency from a passenger heading to Singapore.
The vigilance of APBN officials led to the apprehension of Abdul Qadir, aged between 20 and 21 years old, who had attempted to transport a substantial amount of foreign currency hidden in a cleverly concealed compartment of his luggage. Despite initial oversight by civil aviation officials, the keen observation of an airport armed police officer brought the suspicious luggage to light. Subsequent investigation revealed a significant amount of foreign currency wrapped in a specialised manner within the luggage, totaling over 2 crore 10 lakhs in Bangladeshi Taka.
Acting on a tip-off, customs authorities uncovered foreign currencies concealed within cartons of vegetables awaiting cargo at the airport. A diligent search unveiled 55 thousand Saudi riyals, approximately equivalent to 7 million Bangladeshi taka, hidden in a shipment destined for Malaysia. Additionally, Customs Intelligence authorities arrested an individual in possession of foreign currency valued at 1 crore 22 lakh in Bangladeshi taka.
The collective efforts of these agencies reflect a concerted commitment to combating money laundering and illicit activities at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
An intelligence agency report has revealed the active involvement of approximately 25 local and foreign networks exploiting Shahjalal International Airport to smuggle substantial amounts of foreign currency each month. These syndicates maintain connections with various money exchanges, catering to the demands of smugglers by providing foreign currencies. The process involves accumulating currencies from multiple exchanges, which are later illicitly funnelled into a unified location, often through collusion with airport officials.
The intelligence agency underscored two primary reasons behind this currency smuggling. Firstly, to evade revenue by displaying imported high-value items at lower-than-actual prices on invoices. Secondly, to sell these items at inflated rates within foreign black markets. Additionally, the report highlighted the smuggling of black money through foreign currencies.
Recent observations indicate a surge in currency smuggling at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, reminiscent of tactics used previously for gold smuggling now adapted for coins.
Ziaul Haque Palash, Additional Superintendent of Police at the Airport Armed Police Battalion, expressed concerns about smugglers exploiting the airport's vulnerabilities. Notably, the arrest of Abdul Qadir revealed his frequent visits to Singapore, suggesting his possible involvement in multiple coin smuggling incidents due to his youthful appearance and demeanour.
Palash noted, "At times, attractive young men and women are coerced into this illegal trade, lured by the promise of easy money."
To counter these activities, all airport organizations remain perpetually vigilant against money laundering and smuggling attempts, as stated by Palash.
Russell Ahmed, an officer from the Customs Authority, emphasised their proactive stance in preventing various forms of smuggling. Following the discovery of currency within vegetable cartons, heightened surveillance has been implemented in the cargo area. Furthermore, strict monitoring of passengers at both exit gates and arrival areas is being conducted.
Ahmed noted a significant increase in foreign currency seizures at the airport by multiple organisations over the last six months.
Minhaj Uddin, Additional Director General of Customs Intelligence, acknowledged the recent surge in currency smuggling and reiterated the heightened vigilance and continuous activity of their intelligence department.
Moshiur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner of Metropolitan Intelligence Police, highlighted the involvement of around 20 to 25 gangs in currency smuggling around the airport. Efforts are underway to bring these networks within the ambit of the law.
Messenger/Disha
