Kochi: A court here on Tuesday granted the Customs seven-day custody of Arjun Ayanki, a key member of a Kannur-based gold smuggling syndicate, in connection with a sensational gold smuggling case through the Karipur International Airport last week.
Ayanki, who had appeared before the Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate here on Monday, was arrested by the agency after hours long interrogation.
After recording his arrest, Ayanki was produced before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (Economic Offences) on Tuesday afternoon.
On Monday, the court had sent his accomplice Mohammed Shafeeque, who was arrested in connection with the case, to seven-day customs custody.
Sending Ayanki to Customs custody, the court observed that more investigation is required with reference to his complicity and link with persons involved in smuggling activities from dispensing end and receiving end.
It said joint interrogation of Shafeeque and Ayanki appears to be essential to unearth the truth.
The cross-check of answers would definitely help the future course of investigation, the court said in the order.
Ayanki''s role came to the fore following the arrest of Shafeeque when he allegedly tried to smuggle 2,332 gm of gold through the airport on June 21.
In its application seeking custody of Ayanki, the Customs claimed that during his deposition, Ayanki has admitted that Shafeeque was arriving at Karipur airport with some contraband goods with an intention to smuggle the same and that he would receive an amount of Rs45,OOO as remuneration after handing over the same to concerned persons outside the airport.
29/06/21 PTI/Outlook
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