Thiruvananthapuram: A policeman working at the emigration counter at Kerala’s Kochi airport has been arrested along with his brother and father as prime suspects in a massive gold smuggling operation.
The three, police constable Jabin K. Basheer, 28), his brother Nibin K. Basheer and their father A.K. Basheer, have been taken into custody for questioning. The kingpin of the operation is suspected to be their relative P.A. Naushad.
Customs officials believe the trio, with the assistance of Naushad, may have smuggled out about 1,250 kilos of gold since November 2013.
Jabin and his family are believed to have gained Rs50,000 (Dh2,895) per kilo of the smuggled gold, which amounts to a total of more than Rs62 million. The Muvattupuzha-based family, who were earlier running a small store, had amassed considerable wealth in recent months, raising eyebrows among the local people and the family’s own relatives.
Investigating officials reckon the modus operandi was for gold carriers to leave the precious metal at a particular rest room in the Kochi airport. Later, Jabin would take it out from there, concealing it in his belt and exiting through the special gate for emigration officials.
He would drive away with the gold in his car parked outside.
Jabin and Nibin were produced before a local magistrate, who remanded them in custody. Their father Basheer, who complained of dizziness, has been admitted to hospital and would be produced in court later.
Customs officials have carried out a raid at the residence of Jabin in Muvattupuzha. The team also collected information from local people about the vast wealth, including multi-storied buildings that the family is alleged to have acquired in recent months.
Officials suspect that Jabin may also have helped other carriers besides Naushad to smuggle gold through the airport.
