Thiruvananthapuram: Thiruvananthapuram-based gold smuggling racket – being probed by directorate of revenue intelligence (DRI) – is likely to come under the scanner of central intelligence agencies after a suspected Pakistan link arose in the case. This development came after Sareena Shaji, one of the two persons arrested while smuggling 25kg of gold, told DRI during interrogation that she became a part of the racket through a Pakistan native settled in Dubai.
Sources said it was a Pakistani native, staying in Dubai, who introduced her to Jithu, a key member of the racket. It was Jithu, who purchased all the gold the racket smuggled. He would then hand-over the gold to Sareena or other carriers.
“As per her statement, Jithu was a tenant in the apartment owned by this Pakistan native,” the source said. He and Sareena were already acquainted and through him, she met Jithu. Having said so, it is still unclear whether this Pakistan native was knowingly involved in illegal activities of the racket.
Meanwhile on Thursday, CBI’s anti-corruption branch (ACB) submitted the FIR they registered in connection with the gold smuggling case before the CBI special court in the capital city. As many as nine persons are arraigned as accused in the FIR with customs air intelligence SP V Radhakrishnan named as the first accused.
The other accused are Sunil Kumar, Sareena Shaji, Vishnu Somasundaram, Biju Mohanan, his wife Vineetha R, Abdul Hakkim, his manager P K Rasheed and Prakashan Thampi. Among them, except Hakkim and Somasundaram, all others have been arrested by DRI officials.
The FIR was submitted by T V Joy, assistant superintendent of police, CBI (ACB), Kochi. CBI’s ACB decided to register the case because of the involvement of a government official in the case.
In the FIR, the investigation officer stated that they have received credible information that the accused entered into a conspiracy from April 27 to May 13, 2019, and smuggled gold worth several crores. SP Radhakrishnan facilitated a smooth passage so that the carrier could avoid detection by customs officials at the airport.
At least three key members of the racket are yet to be caught, said DRI officials
Sources said it was a Pakistani native, staying in Dubai, who introduced her to Jithu, a key member of the racket. It was Jithu, who purchased all the gold the racket smuggled. He would then hand-over the gold to Sareena or other carriers.
“As per her statement, Jithu was a tenant in the apartment owned by this Pakistan native,” the source said. He and Sareena were already acquainted and through him, she met Jithu. Having said so, it is still unclear whether this Pakistan native was knowingly involved in illegal activities of the racket.
Meanwhile on Thursday, CBI’s anti-corruption branch (ACB) submitted the FIR they registered in connection with the gold smuggling case before the CBI special court in the capital city. As many as nine persons are arraigned as accused in the FIR with customs air intelligence SP V Radhakrishnan named as the first accused.
The other accused are Sunil Kumar, Sareena Shaji, Vishnu Somasundaram, Biju Mohanan, his wife Vineetha R, Abdul Hakkim, his manager P K Rasheed and Prakashan Thampi. Among them, except Hakkim and Somasundaram, all others have been arrested by DRI officials.
The FIR was submitted by T V Joy, assistant superintendent of police, CBI (ACB), Kochi. CBI’s ACB decided to register the case because of the involvement of a government official in the case.
In the FIR, the investigation officer stated that they have received credible information that the accused entered into a conspiracy from April 27 to May 13, 2019, and smuggled gold worth several crores. SP Radhakrishnan facilitated a smooth passage so that the carrier could avoid detection by customs officials at the airport.
At least three key members of the racket are yet to be caught, said DRI officials
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