Suspected ringleader remanded over gold-currency haul

Suspected ringleader of a gold-smuggling racket Muhammad Ali, detained two days back, was placed Saturday on a six-day police remand to interrogate him about the possessing of a cache of currencies and gold.

A Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate court granted the remand following the police prayer for 10 days to grill him.

The customs authority filed a case on Friday night with the Paltan police, duty officer at the police station said.

"We sought the remand for interrogation and thorough investigation into the recovery of gold bars and currencies, further drive and possible connection of other persons, including Reaz Uddin, an upazila chairman, with the smuggling," Inspector (DB North) Ali Nur Hossain, the investigation officer of the case, told the FE.

"Upon our prayer, the court granted six-day remand," Mr Ali Nur added.

Earlier on Thursday, a joint drive of customs intelligence and DB police spotted a big haul of 528 gold bars weighing 62kg and local and foreign currencies from a house of Mr Ali in Purana Paltan area of the city.

After completion of counting the currencies, the authorities disclosed the detailed amount. It was local currency worth Tk 5,25,90,000, and Saudi Riyal worth Tk 3,29,90,000. The 528 gold bars amounted to about Tk 300 million.

Police is suspecting that Ali, 60, was in a leading position of gold smuggling.

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