KOCHI: The customs special intelligence and investigation officials have made a major breakthrough in the investigation connected with the operation of a Muvattupuzha-based gild smuggling racket using the Cochin International Airport Ltd on Sunday by arresting a civil police officer.
The customs also arrested father and younger brother of the police official in connection with the case.
The arrested have been identified as Jibin K. Basheer, 28, a civil police officer belonging to Muvattupuzha who had worked as a security assistant in the emigration wing on deputation.
The others taken into custody are Basheer, 52, his father and Nibin K. Basheer, 25, his younger brother.
According to K.N. Raghavan commissioner of customs, “Jibin had played a major role in the operation of the racket.”
Jibin had confessed that he had facilitated in smuggling 1,500 kg of gold through the airport in the past one and half years, officials said. Jibin worked in the emigration wing from 2011 to April 2015.
Jibin used to take delivery of gold from carriers at the emigration desk and keep it in the cistern in a bathroom.
He used to take it out by concealing in his waist belt during the absence of customs officers and deposit in his car. Nibin and Basheer then would come to the airport and drive away Jibin’s car from the airport, officials said.
Investigation so far have indicated that the accused were active in the operations of Noushad of Muvattupuzha, suspected to be the mastermind behind the smuggling racket.
According to the initial estimates Jibin had pocketed a commission of nearly Rs 8 crore.
Ernakulam additional chief judicial magistrate remanded Jibin and Nibin to judicial custody. Basheer will be produced before the court on Monday.
