Authorities have recovered 153 gold bars from inside a toilet panel in the cargo compartment of a flight operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA). 

Members of Aviation Security (AVSEC) and intelligence agencies carried out the operation following a tip-off, according to airport sources.

The recovered gold weighed a total of 17.901 kilograms—nearly 18 kilograms— with an estimated market value of about Taka 38 crore, officials said.

The flight had arrived in Dhaka from Dubai late on Saturday night (March 28). After the aircraft landed, security and intelligence personnel placed it under surveillance and conducted a search of the cargo compartment with the assistance of AVSEC officers.

During the search, the gold bars were found wrapped in white cloth and concealed inside a toilet panel within the cargo section of the aircraft.

Airport authorities said a case is being prepared at the airport police station in connection with the incident, but no arrests had been made.

The recovered gold has been handed over to the airport customs authorities for further legal procedures.