TDS Desk:

The authorities seized 17.5kg of gold and detained two passengers at Osmani International Airport in Sylheton Thursday.

A joint operation by National Security Intelligence (NSI) and Customs Intelligence led to the recovery of the gold, which was hidden inside a portable fan, rechargeable light, and other materials in the luggage of two passengers arriving on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG 252 from Sharjah at 8:30am.

Bikash Chandra Debnath, assistant commissioner of Customs, Excise, and VAT, said the gold was found in 120 thin bars and four spherical pieces during a baggage search following a tip-off.

The detainees are Syed Ahmed, 24, of Moulvibazar’s Borolekha upazila and Aftab Uddin, 36, of Sylhet’s Jaintiapur upazila.

The seized gold will be transferred to the government treasury, and a case will be filed with Airport Police Station, officials confirmed.