Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained two citizens of Myanmar and seized 10.5 kg of gold jewelries and gold bars, along with cash and 10 mobile phones from Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar on Monday.
The detainees were identified as Md Hafizur Rahman, 28, son of late Yunus, resident of Sodapara in Mongdu town of Myanmar, and Md Anwar, 30, son of late Sultan, resident of the same area.
Commander of BGB 2 Tkenaf Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Md Mohiuddin Ahmed, confirmed the matter. He said they received a tip-off that smugglers have hidden a large supply of gold and drugs in a house in Oliyabad area under Teknaf municipality, situated approximately 1.5 km southwest from BRM-6 of Teknaf BOP under BGB 2 Teknaf Battalion, in order to smuggle them to Bangladesh from Myanmar. Acting on the tip-off, an anti-smuggling patrol team of Teknaf Sadar Battalion promptly conducted a drive in Oliyabad area. Two citizens of Myanmar tried to flee the scene while the drive was being conducted. However, members of BGB caught the duo. Two bags carrying gold was recovered from their possession at that time. A total of 10.5 kg of gold jewelries and good bars, about 500,000 Bangladeshi taka, 250,000 Myanmar kyat, and 10 mobile phones were recovered from the seized bags. Lt. Col. Md Mohiuddin said during the interrogation, the smugglers said they have been smuggling gold jewelries and drugs, particularly yaba tablets, from Myanmar to Bangladesh with the intention of selling them. The recovered gold jewelries and bars, Bangladeshi currency, and Myanmar currency will be kept at the treasury department of Cox's Bazar District Commissioner's Office. Process is underway to file case against the two detained Myanmar citizens with charge of illegal gold smuggling by evading tax. They will be handed over to the Teknaf Model Police Station.
