Jahangir Alam, Chattogram Correspondent:
Allegations of large-scale gold and foreign cigarette smuggling through Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram have raised serious questions about the effectiveness of airport security and customs inspections. Although passengers carrying suspected contraband are occasionally detained, concerns persist over how such large consignments pass through multiple layers of security and whether the alleged masterminds behind the operations are being brought to justice.
According to multiple sources familiar with airport operations, an organised network has allegedly been involved in gold and foreign cigarette smuggling through the airport for an extended period. The network is suspected of maintaining links with individuals outside the airport as well as some officials and employees allegedly working within the facility.
However, these allegations could not be independently verified. An impartial investigation by the relevant authorities is therefore necessary to establish whether any individuals are involved and determine the extent of the alleged network.
Sources claim that some passengers arriving from abroad are able to leave the airport with large quantities of cigarettes or gold because of alleged prior arrangements. When such arrangements reportedly fail, or when the matter comes to the attention of senior authorities, the consignments are seized and the carriers detained.
There are also allegations that some operations focus primarily on intercepting carriers, while the individuals financing, coordinating and receiving the consignments remain beyond the reach of investigators.
A source claiming knowledge of the alleged network said that payments of up to Tk 100,000 may be made to facilitate the passage of a full baggage load of foreign cigarettes through the airport without interception.
According to the claim, if 10 such baggage loads are cleared, the total payment could reach Tk 1 million. The source further alleged that money is delivered through designated individuals at night after the goods leave the airport and is subsequently distributed among those involved.
Similar allegations have emerged regarding gold consignments. Sources claim that payments of up to Tk 20,000 may be made to facilitate the passage of each gold shipment or bar.
There are also allegations that some individuals attempt to conceal gold on their bodies or inside their clothing, including while using airport washrooms, to evade detection.
The alleged payment arrangements and methods have not been independently verified, and no conclusive evidence has been presented to establish the involvement of specific individuals.
Sources allege that several passengers arrive in Chattogram every day carrying large quantities of foreign cigarettes. On some days, between 10 and 12 passengers reportedly leave the airport with substantial consignments, while the number may reach 15 or 16 on other days.
Similar claims have been made about the regular arrival of gold consignments.
These allegations have raised questions about why ordinary passengers would repeatedly undertake the risks associated with transporting large quantities of potentially illegal goods unless there were a wider distribution network behind the operations.
Information obtained from an airport-related source suggests that four to five individuals may be coordinating the alleged network. They are suspected of maintaining contact with overseas suppliers, domestic recipients and people at different levels of airport operations.
However, the identities, roles and alleged activities of these individuals could not be independently established.
A passenger who recently travelled from Dubai to Chattogram, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed to have seen approximately 15 passengers carrying foreign cigarettes leave Shah Amanat International Airport two or three days before speaking to the correspondent.
According to the passenger, none of those individuals appeared to have been detained.
The passenger said the incident reinforced a perception among some travellers that passengers with the right connections could leave the airport without scrutiny, while ordinary expatriate Bangladeshis were more likely to be caught.
“Those who have connections can often get through, while ordinary expatriates get caught,” the passenger said.
The account could not be independently verified. It remains unclear whether the passengers observed were carrying goods in violation of applicable laws or whether any official action was taken.
Recent incidents have once again drawn attention to the issue. Customs officials and other law enforcement agencies have seized foreign cigarettes and gold at Shah Amanat International Airport on various occasions. Reports have included seizures involving hundreds of cartons of cigarettes and gold worth crores of taka.
However, questions remain about how many people beyond the carriers have been identified and investigated, including financiers, suppliers, recipients and any individuals suspected of facilitating the movement of contraband through the airport.
In 2023, six gold bars were recovered from an abandoned location at the airport, prompting allegations against a revenue official. The official was transferred, and an investigation committee was formed to examine the incident.
There have also been subsequent media reports of incidents involving airport personnel and gold seizures.
Nevertheless, allegations against officials in previous cases do not establish the involvement of any current official or employee in smuggling. Any such allegations must be assessed independently and supported by evidence.
People familiar with airport operations say investigations should not end with the arrest of passengers carrying suspected contraband. Instead, investigators should seek to establish where the goods originated, who arranged their transportation, who was supposed to receive them, which individuals coordinated the movement and what payments were involved.
They also say the relevant authorities should examine CCTV footage, baggage-scanning records, passenger movement logs, duty rosters and the travel histories of suspected repeat carriers.
Where legally authorised and supported by evidence, investigators could also examine relevant mobile communications and financial transactions to identify possible links between carriers, suppliers, recipients and any alleged facilitators.
Such an approach, they argue, could help determine whether repeated seizures are isolated incidents or part of a wider organised operation.
The central question remains: if substantial quantities of gold and foreign cigarettes are allegedly passing through Shah Amanat International Airport on a regular basis, who is supplying the goods, who is receiving them, and who, if anyone, is helping them bypass security and customs controls?
Members of the public and concerned observers are calling for an impartial investigation to establish the facts, identify any organised smuggling network and bring all proven offenders to justice.
They emphasise that accountability should extend beyond the carriers to the financiers, coordinators, suppliers, recipients and any officials or employees found through a fair investigation to have facilitated the alleged activities.
Until the allegations are independently investigated, the existence and scope of the alleged network, as well as any involvement by airport personnel, remain unproven.
