Kerala gold smuggling: The modus operandi of a constable

Thiruvananthapuram, July 9: Gold smuggling continues to be a major draw and this case reported from Kerala will tell you how exactly the job is done.

The story of Jabin Basheer, a 28 year old constable at the Kochi international airport tells the story of how he allegedly helped carriers from Dubai move the gold in the Kerala markets.

Basheer was finally caught, but when the probe was conducted it was found that he had earned an estimated Rs 8 to Rs 10 crore.

Modus operandi:

Investigations have revealed that Jabin along with several of his family members had indulged in gold smuggling since the past year and a half. An estimate would show that they had smuggled in close to 1500 kilograms of gold from Dubai and circulated in the markets of Kerala where there is a great demand for gold.

There were carriers in large numbers who would bring in the gold. It was found that a one kg bar was brought in by each carrier and he would then leave it in the toilet at the airport. At one time at least 8 to 10 ten carriers who would be carrying a 1 kg bar would land up at the Kochi airport.

Investigations found that Jabin would then collect the gold from the toilet and keep it in his car and drive a safe distance. His brother would then meet him half way and load the gold into the car. Investigations found that this was a gang of 30 members including the kingpins and the carriers.

Moving gold in the market:

It was found that once Jabin's brother collected the gold he would take it to Muvattupuzha and hand it over to Basheer who incidentally is Jabin's father. He would in turn sell it to jewelers, the investigations had found.

The entire incident came to light following the arrest of a noted hawala operative, Nausheed. He was the one who helped Jabin's family move the money around between Kerala and Dubai. It was also found that Jabin and his family had specifically trained a set of youth who went on to become carriers in this case.

OneIndia News