Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai 

Dubai, Jul 2: A cleaner who found a bag filled with 15 kgs of gold bars handed it to authorities recently. 

The bars stuffed in the blue wheelie suitcase were worth UAE Dh 2.56 million which is equivalent to US $ 698,339. 

Taher Ali Maqbool spotted the bag in the corner of a multi-storey car park in the Al Sabkha area of Deira, close to the gold souq when he was cleaning the floor during a late shift last week. As it was heavy, he thought at first that the bag belonged to a mechanic because it looked like a box that contained tools. 

But as it was unusually heavy, he kept it aside because he thought someone would come to collect it. The security guard on duty then asked Maqbool to open the bag in case it contained information about the owner. When they opened the bag, they were shocked to find so much of gold in it. 

The suitcase was then handed over to the police and no one has claimed ownership yet. 

The Roads and Transport Authority presented Maqbool with a certificate to recognise his honesty and integrity. He also received a reward. 

When Maqbool called his home to tell his family about the incident, his father was very happy with the decision of his son. 

“My family is poor. My father worked as a labourer, but he has always taught us to return what did not belong to us.” said Maqbool. 

It is not yet known why the bars of gold were left in the car park. 

Maqbool has been working in the UAE since 2013.