Aluva : With arrest of key players in the sensational gold smuggling intercepted by Customs at Thiruvananthapuram airport on 5 July, more damning facts with possible political implications are now emerging . In the latest arrest, Customs have nabbed Muslim League veteran PK Kunhalikutty’s kin for his role in the racket. The accused has been identified as 32-year-old Rameez, a Perunthalamanna native residing in Vettuthur Kavala, Pukattil House. According to the probe team, Rameez is directly linked to the gold mafia in the present case.
Rameez has a prior history of arrests related to gold smuggling but used political influence to escape the law each time. Incidentally, he also shares family ties with former speaker Chakkiri Ahmed Kutty.
Rameez, who owns business in Gulf has been a long time resident there. He however frequently visits native place where, he is known to travel around, including Gulf. often. According to officials, Rameez has direct links with gold smuggling rackets based in Mangalapuram and Bengaluru. Back in 2015, Customs had foiled one of his attempts as he tried to smuggle gold out of Karipur airport. But he eventually got away with it pulling political strings. Customs said, Rameez who also has cases of illegal hunting pending against him, will be handed over to NIA for interrogations in the ongoing probe .
