Kerala Gold Smuggling: Hawala
Network, more Shipments over Rs 40 crore under
Scanner
· Fareed Emerges as the Kingpin, Security
Guard in UAE Consulate Attempts Suicide
Shipments from 13 flights have come under the scanner of the
investigative agencies in connection with the Kerala gold smuggling case. The
probing agencies involving Customs and National Investigative Agency suspect
that in at least 3-4 shipments of gold were smuggled.
It has learnt that the value of the shipments would be around Rs 40-45 crore which may vary
later. The NIA is also trying to find out the beneficiaries of the smuggled
gold through these suspected shipments.
Sources said the NIA along with Customs is also looking into a
possible hawala network that may have been used for
the smuggling of gold. The agency suspects that the money generated through
this smuggling was being sent to Dubai and other Middle East countries.
The NIA, which is also probing suspected terror activities in the
smuggling network, will be looking into how the proceeds generated through the
smuggling was moved around through hawala.
Fareed, an absconding accused against whom Interpol’s Blue Notice
has been sought by NIA, is believed to be a key player in the hawala network.
Fareed is believed to be in the UAE and agencies suspect that
money generated through smuggling of gold in Kerala was sent to Dubai through hawala network under his supervision.
Primary investigation has revealed that forged consulate documents
were being used in the smuggling along with duplicate emblems and symbols of
UAE government on the baggage so that the baggage could get diplomatic immunity
at the airport.
The agency has obtained a non-bailable
warrant against Fazil Fareed, who is believed to be
operating from UAE, based on which NIA has asked the Interpol to issue a blue
notice.
A blue notice by Interpol is to collect information about a
person’s identity, location or activities in relation to a crime.
Swapna Suresh and Sandeep Nair,
who are already in NIA custody, are being questioned by the officials in
connection the gold smuggling case.
The agency has also sought custody of Sarith
PS, who was arrested by the Customs. Sources said the arrested accused might be
confronted with each other during the questioning.
The gold smuggling racket was unearthed on July 5 after Customs
seized a diplomatic consignment containing 30 kg gold sent from UAE.
The statement of the Kerala Police personnel who was serving as a
gunman at the UAE Consulate here and allegedly tried to end his life, was
recorded on Saturday by a magistrate at a private hospital here.
Jay Ghosh, who was reported missing by his family since Thursday
night, was found from near his home at Thumba on
Friday morning allegedly with a slashed wrist, resulting in bleeding.
"The magistrate came to the hospital and recorded his
statement. The police are yet to question him. As of now, his condition is
stable," a senior police official told said.
He was found lying near his ancestral home and had been admitted
to a private hospital here.
During a search by the police on Friday morning, the man was found
near a vacant plot a few metres away from his home.
The policeman had reportedly told his family that he was facing
threats from some people and was seen tensed.
The incident comes amid the sensational gold smuggling case in
which the precious metal was brought into the country in a diplomatic baggage
addressed to the UAE Consulate.
Ghosh, who was earlier posted at the airport here, has been with
the consulate since 2017 and had reportedly contacted at least three times the
key accused in the smuggling case Swapna Suresh on
July 5, when the gold was seized by Customs.
The gold worth around Rs 15 crore was
received at the airport here as a diplomatic cargo addressed to an official in
the Consulate of the United Arab Emirates and the Customs have
said they suspected a syndicate
misused the diplomatic immunity to smuggle the precious metal.
Meanwhile, the investigation team has brought Swapna
Suresh and another accused Sandeep Nair from Ernakulam
to Thiruvananthapuram and has been conducting searches at various places in the
city including the flats and offices of the duo.
The case is being investigated by Customs and the National
Investigation Agency (NIA) which has booked Suresh, Sarith,
Sandeep Nair and Fasil Fareed under the Unlawful
Activities (Prevention) Act.
Suresh was found working in the IT department and her contractual
service terminated after her name cropped up in the gold smuggling.
IAS officer M Sivasakar was removed as
Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the state IT Secretary over his alleged links
with Suresh and other accused in the case. He was suspended on Thursday.
Fareed is still at large while the other accused, including Suresh
and Sarith, both former employees of the UAE
consulate, have been arrested.