Thiruvananthapuram : Investigations into record gold seizure at Thiruvananthapuram airport’s diplomatic channel, pointed to five persons as main conspirators to the racket including former UAE consulate employees Sarith and Swapna, both Thiruvananthapuram natives. The information was let out by Sarith who is presently in custody. Interrogations are still under way. A probe, focused on people staffed with Consulate there, has also been launched in UAE, where the gold originated from.
Meanwhile, clues incriminated a Kozhikode native from Koduvalli as the kingpin who funded the operations. This man, together with Sarith, controlled the racket. Most of the money towards purchase and transit of the gold came from him. For each haul smuggled in, he paid up to Rs 25 lakh to Sarith and Swapna combined. A search of Swapna’s residence unearthed evidences that shed light on the Koduvalli native's role. Sleuths also dug up proofs pointing to two others who were involved in the crime.
Customs is now looking to see if there might be more people involved. The gang smuggled gold, a total of three times since lockdown. All gold would be hauled to Kozhikode each time. Investigators conducted another search of Swapna’s flat at Ambalamukku on Tuesday. The search that began early morning lasted through the day until evening and reportedly yielded vital evidences in the case.
The probe in UAE began yesterday. Probe officials, at a preliminary level, collected records from the consulate there including travel details pertaining to Sarith and Swapna. MBC(Middle East Broadcasting Centre) provided the data.
Swapna's Role, Sarith Destroys Evidence
According to Customs, Swapna Suresh played a major role in moving the contraband through diplomatic channel. Officials are scrutinising air travels made by Swapna, who formerly worked as Executive Secretary at the UAE Consulate. Sarith formatted his mobile phone as soon as smuggled gold was intercepted at the airport. Much vital information on the device has been wiped out. Investigators are trying to find out who might have aided Swapna to course the gold via diplomatic baggage. Clues so far pointed to i a couple of employees at Thiruvananthapuram airport and UAE Consulate.
When the contraband arrived, Sarith had signed in at the airport seeking to receive the diplomatic baggage which was marked to Consulate General. However, Sarith is not cooperative and refuses to divulge identities of other members of the racket.
The baggage with gold was dispatched from UAE by Fazil who ran a provision store there. The box, addressed to Consulate, was labeled as food items comprising dates, milk, oats, noodles, curry packet and butter cakes. While a few packets of food items were found strewn inside, the bulk contained gold weighing 30244.90 gm worth Rs 14.82 crore. The UAE Consulate has denied any knowledge of the smuggling activity under diplomatic cover. All diplomatic baggage are transported via Consulate vehicles. However, Sarith had arrived to take delivery in his own private vehicle.
Officials at Customs said the probe will be carried out plugging all loopholes given that the case affects diplomatic affairs between two countries. The probe officers have petitioned the court seeking Sarith’s custody from his 14-day remand.
