Narrow escape for Biman’s DC-10

Biman DC-10

A DC-10 aircraft of Biman Bangladesh, the national flag carrier narrowly escaped major accident at the runway of the Shah Amanat International Airport, Chittagong yesterday during landing. The incident took place at around 10.30 last night (May 14). 

The aircraft left Dhaka with a number of passengers and arrived Chittagong at around 10.30pm, 5 hours delayed from its scheduled time. During landing, left side wheel of the front pair of wheels had friction with a piece of sharp corrugated iron sheet and was cut slightly. Despite this, the aircraft landed safely without any casualties.  After necessary repairing, the flight departed Chittagong again for Abu Dhabi at around 1230 am.

According to sources, the piece of tin (corrugated iron sheet) may have been on the runway due to the inclement weather derived from the incoming Cyclone “Mohasen” which is assumed to hit coastal area of Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar area this evening.

Man arrested with 6.3 KG Gold bars this time!

Airport Armed Police members recovered illegally brought 6.3 kg gold bars from a Bangladeshi passenger today at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. In this connection, one Delwar Hossain (42) has been arrested with some other illegally brought electronic goods.

Delwar Hossain arrived Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the morning by an Emirates flight from Dubai. Acting on tip off, Airport Armed Police forced the passenger to scan his bag at the green channel. While his baggage being scanned, Delwar Hossain tried to flee from the spot. At that very moment, Airport Armed Police members arrested him. After searching his body, police recovered 54 Gold biscuits which weighed about 6.3 kg worth around Bangladeshi Taka 2.5 crore. Besides this, Police and Custom Authority found 40 latest model cell phones (hidden inside a TV box) which worth around BDT 20 lacs.

In primary interrogation, Delwar admitted to police that he brought the Gold and other goods from Dubai and these consignment was brought in this way to avoid customs. 

Gold and other goods was deposited to the valuables storage of Customs authority and Customs authority lodged a First Information Report with the local Airport Police station in this connection against the arrested Delwar Hossain to initiate the thorough investigation process. Arrested Delwar hails from Shariatpur District, sources confirmed.

According to the sources, a number of syndicates bring Gold biscuits illegally to avoid customs tax and uses different persons to carry these consignments. After bringing these gold biscuits, they are distributed among a good number of Jewelers who are the main beneficiary of such acts. Like Delwar, a good number of frequent flyers are involved in such smuggling business who are basically the carrier only. According to the existing law of the country, a person can carry 200 grams of Gold while entering into the country without paying any customs or tax. But beyond this limit, customs duty is to be imposed on gold and these smuggling syndicates try to get away without paying any taxes. 

Beside this latest haul of 6.3 kg gold, Airport Armed Police members seized 1.5 kg gold on February 22, 2013, 7kg gold on January 7, 2013 and 13.6 kg gold on September 10, 2012.