A security man at Dhaka airport has been detained in connection with gold smuggling.

Shariful Islam, a member of Shahjalal International Airport’s Aviation Security (AVSEC) department, and a passenger of Saudi Airlines were held on Saturday night and handed over to Dhaka Customs House, said customs official.

Acting on a tip off, members of Dhaka Customs House and regular shift officials challenged Yakub Mia, a passenger of Saudi Airlines which landed at 9pm on Saturday.

He refused the allegations of carrying any duty-imposing goods.

In the meantime, his mobile phone was ringing continuously and his phone contact list also had the image of AVSEC member, Shariful Islam,” said customs deputy commissioner, Othello Chowdhury.

Noticing the presence of custom officials, Shariful fled the airport and was eventually caught by the police.

“During interrogation, Shariful said he disposed his phone near the airport rail station area,” said the customs officer.

“Yakub and Shariful were taken to customs baggage counter where 5 gold bars were seized from the passenger,” added Othello Chowdhury.

“The gold bars are worth Tk 2.9 million.”