A Bangladeshi expatriate was arrested for trying to smuggle 2.2 kilograms of gold through the Hajarat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka upon his arrival from Saudi Arabia on Friday, according to a report carried by Dhaka Tribune.

Md Delwar Hussain tried to smuggle 16 bars, around 100 chains and two rings inside his shoes, underwear and moneybag," the Tribune said.

Hussain, 30, is from the northern Bangladeshi town of Bogra, said the report, quoting Alamgir Hossain Shimul, senior assistant superintendent of the Armed Police Battalion (APBn).

The seized gold is worth around 10 million Bangladeshi Taka (US$128,700), Shimul said.

Bangladeshi authorities are trying to determine the source of the gold and how the man managed to go through the airport metal detector gate and pass body search with such a large quantity of gold, the paper said.

It said airport authorities have seized around 450 kg of gold in recent months, with the biggest ever seizure of 124 kg made in July.

“Airport sources alleged that several smuggling rings were involved in practice, which is done in association with a section of unscrupulous officials and employees at the airport,” said the report.