Indian nationals among 12 held with 637 bhori gold

Customs Intelligence officials detained 12 people, including three Indian citizens, along with around 637 bhori gold in Keraniganj upazila of Dhaka early Friday.

The detainees are Rahat Khan, 33, Mohsin Al Mahmud, 29, Quazi Mamun, 34, Syed Amir Hossain, 34, Shamim, 23, Mamun, 37, Bashir Ahmed Kamal, 37, Mamun Sarker, 37, and Atiqur Rahman Mina, 42, citizens of Bangladesh, and Nabi Hossain, 46, Shahzada, 47, and Mohammad Imran, 37, of India.

Deputy Director of Customs Intelligence & Investigation Directorate Sanzida Khanam led the drive, a CIID press release said on Saturday.

On information that gold might be smuggled through passengers on two air-conditioned buses - Purbasha Paribahan and Royal Paribahan, CIID stopped the vehicles in Chunkutia area around 3 am and seized around 637 bhori gold from 12 passengers' possession, the press release said.

The detainees, however, failed to show valid documents for the import or purchase of the gold, according to the release.

SM/SU