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A cabin crew member of Biman Bangladesh Airlines was detained at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka for attempting to smuggle gold. The incident occurred on Monday, August 4, 2025, in the afternoon, when airport customs authorities apprehended Rudaba Sultana, a senior cabin crew member, and seized 230 grams of gold from her possession.
According to customs and airport sources, around 5:30 PM, Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ flight BG 340 from Riyadh landed at Shahjalal Airport. During routine checks, customs officials noticed suspicious behavior from Rudaba Sultana as the crew was exiting. When asked to undergo a body scan, she hesitated. During the inspection, she attempted to conceal specially crafted gold bars hidden in her undergarments by throwing them away, but the gold was subsequently confiscated. A body scan later revealed a new iPhone in her possession.
Airport sources revealed that Rudaba Sultana initially challenged the customs officials, claiming to be the sister of a top leader of the cabin crew union and attempting to leave the scene. Sources from Biman’s flight purser department stated that Rudaba Sultana is an influential employee. Her brother, the president of the cabin crew union, enabled her to serve on VIP flights during the previous government’s tenure. She allegedly used photographs with the former prime minister and ministers to gain unethical advantages at the airport.
