Gold smuggling: DRI lens on Trivandrum airport staff

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The investigation into the attempt to smuggle in 25kg gold valued at Rs 8.5 crore through the Trivandrum International Airport has shifted focus to the airport staff.
The officers of directorate of revenue intelligence (DRI) questioned a customs superintendent and two inspectors in this regard on Friday.
The air intelligence superintendent of the air customs unit Radhakrishnan and two inspectors were questioned and their houses were raided by the DRI team. These officials were on duty at the airport on May 13, when the gold was smuggled, which led the DRI team to conduct the probe.
The DRI team is suspecting the involvement of airport staff in the smuggling incident as strict customs checkings are at place at the arrival.
Sunil Kumar and Sareena were arrested when they arrived in an Oman Air flight from Muscat on Monday. The DRI team seized 25kg gold from them. Two days later, they arrested one more woman, Vineetha Kumari, suspected to be part of the gang involved in the smuggling. The three accused are still under the custody of DRI and are being questioned.
Kumari is wife of Biju Manohar, an advocate, who allegedly entrusted Sunil and Sareena with the task of smuggling the gold. Biju and his accomplice Vishnu have been absconding from the day the gold seizure was reported. A lookout issue has been issued against them.
"We have not arrested any customs officer and are investigating the possibility of support from airport staff to smuggle the gold outside the airport. The lookout notice has been issued by the home ministry and it usually takes a suo motu case. It is only when there is detection, we are informed about it," said an official from DRI.