Airport authorities at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram detained a Dubai-bound passenger named Md. Abu Bakkar on Thursday night for carrying a large amount of foreign currency without valid documentation. The seized money, consisting of dirhams and riyals, is valued at approximately Tk 9,491,397 in Bangladeshi currency. Abu Bakkar, a resident of Bhabanipur in Lohagara upazila, was stopped at around 8:15 p.m. in the departure lounge after completing immigration formalities.

According to airport officials, the passenger was traveling on Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG147. Acting on a tip-off, security personnel searched his luggage and body, discovering 253,665 UAE dirhams worth about Tk 6.95 million and 4,790 riyals worth about Tk 1.46 million. The currencies were hidden in a concealed manner, and authorities suspect an attempt to smuggle the money abroad without legal clearance.

Airport authorities confirmed that legal action is underway, and a case is being prepared at the relevant police station regarding the attempted currency smuggling.