Kerala gold smuggling case: NIA detains key accused Swapna Suresh

NEW DELHI: Swapna Suresh and Sandeep Nair, key accused in the gold smuggling case, were detained by the NIA in Bengaluru by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), official sources said.
Swapna is among the four accused booked by the NIA in the smuggling of 30 kg of gold through diplomatic baggage which arrived at the Thiruvanathapuram International airport.
Officials said the accused are being examined and will be arrested in due course.
Swapna Prabha Suresh, Sarith and Sandeep Nair of Thiruvananthapuram and Fazil Fareed of Ernakulum have been named in the case which relates to the seizure of 30 kg of 24 carat gold worth Rs 14.82 crore at Trivandrum International Airport on July 5 by the Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate, Kochi
The Centre had allowed the NIA to investigate the case in view of the "serious implications for national security".
The Central agencies including the NIA and the Customs had opposed her anticipatory bail plea in the Kerala high court.
On July 5, the consignment was found camouflaged in diplomatic baggage from the UAE that is exempted from inspection as per the Vienna Convention, the official said.
The consignment was to be received by Sarith, who had worked in the UAE consulate earlier as a public relations officer, the NIA spokesperson said.
Initial investigation by the Customs department has revealed that Sarith had received multiple such consignments earlier as well, the official said.
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