Published By: Kavya Mishra
Last Updated: September 20, 2023, 23:48 IST
NIA Arrests Accused in Gold Smuggling Case Involving Diplomatic Baggage
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has apprehended a suspect involved in a gold smuggling case that employed diplomatic channels to transport the precious metal into India. The arrest took place at Thiruvananthapuram airport in Kerala upon the arrival of the accused from Dubai, according to an official statement on Wednesday.
Identified as Ratheesh and hailing from Kannur, the fugitive was allegedly part of a notorious gang responsible for smuggling substantial quantities of gold between 2019 and 2020. The NIA had been on a manhunt for Ratheesh and five other members of the gang, all of whom were absconding. On January 5, 2021, the agency had already filed charges against 20 individuals associated with the smuggling operation.
The investigation conducted the NIA had previously uncovered Ratheesh’s close ties with Hamsath Abdu Salam, one of the accused already charged in the case. Ratheesh’s role primarily involved collecting smuggled gold from Thiruvananthapuram and delivering it to Nandakumar in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, for sale.
The seizure of a 30 kg gold consignment worth Rs 14.82 crore at Thiruvananthapuram airport on July 5, 2020, had initially sparked the NIA’s interest in the case. The package was addressed to a senior diplomat stationed in Kerala’s capital city.
The investigation into the gold smuggling case is ongoing, with the NIA striving to bring all the absconding members of the gang to justice.
Disclaimer: This story is sourced from a syndicated news agency feed and has not been edited News18 staff.