Kerala Vigilance Conducts Raids in Gold Smuggling Case
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Synopsis
On January 18, the Kerala Police's Vigilance wing carried out operations in Kozhikode, Malappuram, Amritsar, and Haryana as part of a probe into a gold smuggling case involving central government officials, marking a significant development in the investigation.
Key Takeaways
- Raids conducted in multiple states.
- Investigation led by Kerala Vigilance.
- Case linked to CISF and customs officials.
- Evidence of collusion with smuggling networks.
- Kozhikode airport is a smuggling hotspot.
Kozhikode, Jan 18 (NationPress) The Vigilance unit of the Kerala Police executed raids on Saturday at several sites in Kozhikode, Malappuram, Amritsar, and Haryana related to a 2023 gold smuggling and hawala investigation.
This gold smuggling case is reportedly linked to central government officials from the CISF and customs departments.
In an unusual development, the Kerala Vigilance unit, rather than the CBI, is leading the inquiry, which usually falls under the latter's domain when dealing with central government personnel.
The operations focused on properties tied to CISF Assistant Commandant Naveen Kumar, Customs Inspector Sandeep, and their affiliates, including friends and relatives in the four cities spanning Kerala, Punjab, and Haryana.
This case was initially filed in 2023 after reports surfaced about extensive gold smuggling activities at the international airport near Kozhikode.
Investigators found proof of collaboration between CISF and customs officials with gold smuggling networks operating from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
A crucial discovery was that the duty roster of CISF and customs personnel at Kozhikode airport had been leaked to smuggling syndicates in the UAE, enabling them to time their gold deliveries precisely.
For each successfully smuggled shipment, CISF and customs officials allegedly received kickbacks, funneled through hawala transactions across various cities.
Kozhikode airport has increasingly become a focal point for gold smuggling, with multiple gangs depending on carriers—individuals returning from the Middle East on leave—to transport gold.
These carriers, often compensated with a minimal fee that covers airfare and a small reward, smuggle gold in diverse concealed methods, including occasions where the gold is hidden within their bodies.
The ongoing raids emphasize the Vigilance department's dedication to addressing this escalating issue, which has been a persistent challenge for the state.
