Many expatriate Bangladeshis living in the UAE wish to return home during Ramadan and Eid holidays. However, the exorbitant ticket prices thwart their plans. Gold smuggling syndicates are exploiting this predicament.
A significant number of expatriate Bangladeshis are falling prey to these syndicates' offers of discounted tickets. Concurrently, due to high gold prices in the domestic market, traditional jewelry shops are witnessing a sharp decline in their sales, whereas sales remain steady in establishments dealing in TT Bar and Kilo Bar gold. Unscrupulous businessmen capitalise on this situation by luring expatriates to carry gold in return of the ticket packages. Local gold merchants warned Bangladeshi expatriates against accepting such offers, highlighting the risks posed by gold smuggling syndicates. Furthermore, as the Eid season approaches, numerous travel agencies collaborate with gold smugglers to create an artificial ticket shortage, to influence passengers to carry gold.
It is imperative for relevant authorities to enhance surveillance to curb gold smuggling activities and rigorously regulate travel agencies. This proactive approach will mitigate the risk of artificial ticket crises.
S.M. Rahman Jiku
Member,
CAB Youth Group
College Road, Chawkbazar, Chattogram.
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