The government has deposited to the central bank 1793.72 kilogrammes (nearly two tonnes) of gold seized in last five years.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith disclosed the figures while replying to a question by MA Hannan, a lawmaker from Mymensingh-7, at the Jatiya Sangsad this morning.

After it's auctioned, the money against the gold will be deposited to the state treasury, the minister said.

Bangladesh might have been used as a transit route of gold smuggling to India as the neighbouring country has imposed a heavy tax on importing gold, Muhith said highlighting the possible reasons behind gradual rise of smuggling.

A total of 490.866 kgs of gold were seized at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport alone in 2014-15 fiscal year and 99 cases were filed, the minister said.