Fake consulate seals, funding terror, Kerala gold smuggling case gets murkier
New Delhi, July 14: The gang involved in the Kerala smuggling case had faked documents of the UAE consulate, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has said. The accused had fake seals with the emblem of the UAE Consulate and were using the same to smuggle gold through diplomatic channels, the NIA also said.
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The purpose was also to raise funds for terror, the agency has learnt. On Friday, the NIA registered an FIR in the Kerala Gold Smuggling Case.
The
case
has
been
registered
under
sections
16,
17
and
18
of
the
Unlawful
Activities
(Prevention)
Act,
1967,
against
04
accused
persons
including
Swapna
Prabha
Suresh
The
case
relates
to
the
seizure
of
30
kg
of
24-carat
gold
worth
Rs.14.82
crores
at
Trivandrum
International
Airport.
Kerala Gold Smuggling: Swapna Suresh, Sandeep Nair arrested by NIA in Bengaluru
The aforesaid consignment was found camouflaged in diplomatic baggage from UAE that is exempted from inspection as per the Vienna Convention. The said consignment was to be received by Sarith P S who had worked in the UAE Consulate earlier as Public Relations Officer. Initial investigation by Customs Department has revealed that Sarith had received multiple such consignments earlier as well.
As the case pertains to smuggling of large quantity of gold into India from offshore locations threatening the economic stability and national security of the country, it amounts to a terrorist act as stated in section 15 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Further, as the case has national and international linkages and as the initial enquiries have revealed that the proceeds of smuggled gold could be used for financing of terrorism in India, NIA has taken up the investigation of the case.
Terror funding a major possibility in Kerala Gold Smuggling case
The NIA informed the Kerala High Court that the UAPA which deals with various provisions of terror had been invoked. The submission was made before the court which was hearing the anticipatory bail plea filed by Swapna Suresh.