Gold recovery at borders: Masterminds remain elusive

Syed Shemul Parvez :
One after another gold recovery is taking place in the border area daily. Sometimes gold is being smuggled in a special or fancy way in the car, sometimes inside the stomach or anus, in women’s private parts, inside sandals and shoes to avoid the eyes of law enforcement. Even sometimes a huge number of gold is being recovered in abandoned condition.
In this way, 185 kg (about five maunds) of gold has been seized in the last year (2022). But the masterminds always remain elusive.
According to sources at the headquarters of the South-West Region Commander of the BGB, the force seized this huge amount of gold during smuggling into India through the affiliated borders of Jessore, Jhenaidah, Satkhira and Khulna from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022. Its market value is about taka150 million (15 crore). Some of these consignments have also been seized by the Jessore District Police.
According to sources, Jessore 49 BGB is in the first list of success in arresting smugglers and recovering gold, second position is 21 Khulna BGB Battalion and third position is Jessore District Police.
Intelligence officials said, the gangs who are involved with gold smuggling in the border areas are taking new fancy ways and techniques to avoid the eyes of law enforcement.
As part of techniques, at least 30-40 people normally work in different ways to get smuggled to India. Some are carriers, some are linemen, and some are informers. Besides, many watchmen work in certain areas, junctions or routes.
 They inform the gang making call by one or two mobile numbers whether someone from BGB or law enforcement is coming or whether there is any danger ahead on that route. But they do not know who is the previous or the next person. Also they are not allowed to know who the mastermind is. They only help with timely information and get their share of money properly.
That money also has to be received from unknown sources. That is why the main hosts remain out of reach all time.
According to information provided by some law enforcement agencies, the six districts of Khulna division have border areas. Large shipments of gold have been and are still being smuggled through these borders every day.
Khulna 21 BGB Commander Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Tanveer Rahman said that BGB is always working to prevent smuggling at the border. He said, ‘BGB  
generally raids and seizes the gold and file cases against the accused. After that, the investigation of these cases handover to the local police.
And then the investigative unit will bring the behind-the-scenes smuggling to book. Despite this, BGB remains alert and cautious, Lieutenant Colonel Tanveer said.
When asked, Additional Director General of South West Region Commander of BGB, Brigadier General KM Azad told the media, “Since the headquarters of the Region Commander is located in this region, it is possible to stop the smuggling of gold through the borders to a large extent.
Smugglers who are trying to smuggle gold and drugs through these borders to India or from India to Bangladesh are also frequently caught. Work is also underway to identify the masterminds of the gang who are behind, he added.
On Thursday morning (Jan 12), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in a drive arrested a youth along with 20 gold bars weighing 3.320kg in Teknaf.
The youth was identified as Md. Yas Noor, 22, son of Md. Zakaria of Shahpari Island’s Uttarpara area.
BGB Teknaf 2 battalion captain Lt. Colonel Sheikh Khalid Mohammad Iftekhar confirmed the matter.