The Special Branch (SB) of Police has temporarily suspended a customs inspector and a sentry over the theft of 19kg of gold from the Benapole Customs House vault.
The suspension order was issued around 11pm on Monday.
At the same time, three personal assistants at the Customs house have also been detained.
The suspended are- Inspector Sahibul Sardar and Sipahi Parvez of Benapole Customs House, and Ajibor, Mohabbat, and Surat Ali, personal help of customs officials.
They were taken into custody at Benapole Port police station.
Confirming the matter to Dhaka Tribune, Towhidur Rahman, special superintendent of police (SSP) of DSB, said: “We made the decision after the primary investigation regarding the theft.
“There was no security guard near the vault which was looted, making it easier for the miscreants to commit the crime.”
There was a total of 29kg gold locked inside the vault, of which 19.38kg was looted.
The heist
On Monday, huge quantities of gold and US dollars were stolen from Benapole Customs House vault.
According to customs sources, the theft took place at the house’s old building, where the thieves cut the CCTV wire before the heist.
The vault housed valuable items, which had been recovered by intelligence officials, BGB, and police during various operations.
The building is guarded by Ansar members at all times.