CBI files FIR against Customs officers in gold smuggling case
KOCHI: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a First Information Report (FIR) against 11 persons, including a Customs superintendent in a case related to gold smuggling at Calicut International Airport at Karippur.
The FIR and a list of the accused were submitted to the III CBI court here in a sealed envelope. The agency did not make the details public as it wanted to inspect the premises of the accused.
The CBI registered the FIR, arraigning the Customs officials, with the approval of the Central Finance Ministry. The agency had also recommended disciplinary action against the accused officials.
“There are 11 accused, including Customs officials and civilians, in the case. We sought the permission of Union Finance Minister to register a case against Customs officials. The case was registered ater we got permission from the ministry.
“We will interrogate the accused again ater which a decision will be taken on recording their arrests,” a CBI official said.
“It is clear that these public servants received gratification in the form of money and gits for helping smugglers. We have also recommended departmental action against them,” he said.
The case relates to a surprise raid at the International Airport by CBI sleuths in January this year. The role of the Customs officers in large scale smuggling operations came to light during the raid.
The investigators had then seized currencies to the tune of Rs300, 000 from the airport, and gold jewellery and currency notes, valued at Rs10 million from the residence of the accused.
The central agency conducted the probe ater it realised that smuggling through the airport was not possible without insider help. The gold was mostly smuggled in from Middle East countries.
The raid was based on reports that largescale smugglings are taking place with the help of Customs officials at Karippur airport. The Customs even seized Rs350, 000 and Rs10.5 million worth gold from a passenger who reached the airport from Gulf.