DHAKA – Kazi-Mohammad Ziauddin, Bangladesh Customs Officer, said on Friday in Dhaka that 27 kilograms of gold were allegedly seized from a North Korean diplomat at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka
He said the airport officials found the 170 gold bars in the bags of Son Yang, First Secretary In Charge of Commercial and Economic Affairs at the North Korean embassy in Dhaka.
Ziauddin said Yang was intercepted late Thursday after customs officials received information that a consignment of gold was being smuggled through diplomatic baggage.
“Son denied he had gold in his possession and initially refused to allow his baggage to be searched,’’ he said.
He said the diplomat was not allowed to leave the airport and gave permission for a search more than 10 hours after landing.
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Ziauddin said he was released because he has diplomatic immunity.
The custom officer said Ministry of Foreign Affairs was informed about the matter because Son was carrying more gold than the 200 grams allowed for duty-free per passenger. (dpa/NAN)
