Tk73,000cr being laundered through gold smuggling annually: BAJUS

Bangladesh Jewellers’ Association (BAJUS) on Saturday said that around Tk 73,000 crore is being laundered from Bangladesh every year through gold smuggling.

They have sought the government’s tough action and the cooperation of intelligence along with law enforcement agencies to stop gold smuggling through Bangladesh.

BAJUS leaders said this at a press conference held at the association’s office in Bashundhara city complex in Dhaka.

Chairman of BAJUS Standing Committee on Anti-Smuggling and Legal Enforcement Enamul Haque Khan read out a written speech at the press conference.

Among others, Vice-Chairman Bidhan Malakar, members Ikbal Uddin, Swapon Chandra Karmakar, Bikash Ghosh, and Babul Rahman were also present at the event.

They claimed that Bangladesh is used as a transit of gold smuggling to neighbouring countries by influential syndicates which should be stopped.

Gold worth around Tk 200 crore is smuggled daily on average using Bangladesh airways, roads, and waterways, they said. Meanwhile, BAJUS leaders said that they have prepared the report on gold smuggling and money laundering based on law enforcers’ information and newspaper reports.

Replying to a query, they said 15,000 to 20,000 bhoris of gold are being imported into Bangladesh through baggage of travellers which are legal.