According to Customs officials, women were the main carriers of gold smuggled through Kannur
airport. Usually, the carriers move to Gulf Countries on visit visa and smuggle gold to Kerala on their return trip.
It is hinted that gold was smuggled through Kannur airport also for Arjun Aayanki who got
arrested over gold smuggling via Kozhikode airport.
A few months back, some people kidnapped a former SDPI activist in a COVID ambulance
and manhandled him leaving his leg fractured at Iritty. Police have been examining whether
this case is linked to gold smuggling.
With the interrogation of Arjun Aayanki, the probe team expects to confirm his involvement
in gold smuggling via Kannur airport.
Usually, gold smuggling through Kannur airport is centred in Dubai. Most of the accused
nabbed over gold smuggling till 2020 were Kasaragod natives. But nowadays, most of the
carriers are Kannur, Koothuparamba and Nadapuram natives.
The highest quantity of gold was seized from Kannur airport on July 12, 2020. 2.5-kg gold
worth Rs 1.15 cr was seized from a passenger. This passenger who is a Kasaragod native
landed at Kannur airport by Air India Express from Dubai. 1120 gram gold in liquid format
was also seized from a Mahe native.
Till date, over 200 people were arrested over gold smuggling in Kannur.
Customs hold the
details of the accused and gold smuggling.
In 2020, 45 kg gold worth Rs 21.35 cr was seized from the airport. It is reported that
customs foiled the bid to smuggle 26 kg gold worth Rs 11.35 cr through Kannur airport this
year from January 2021 to May 2021. Meanwhile, 21 kg gold amounting to Rs 7 cr was
seized in 2019.
Apart from customs, DRI seized over 15 kg of gold from here. It is reported that gold worth
Rs 33 cr was seized during the lockdown period.
30/06/21 Mathrubhumi
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