NIA raids locations in Maharashtra in Kerala gold smuggling case

The National Investigation Agency on Saturday raided various locations of the Sangli district of Maharashtra in connection with the Kerala gold smuggling case.

Sangli (Maharashtra):The National Investigation Agency on Saturday raided various locations of the Sangli district of Maharashtra in connection with the Kerala gold smuggling case.

According to the sources, the NIA conducted the raid in Khanapur, Kavthemahankal, Atpadi and Tasgaon tehsils of Sangli, on the basis of the information given by the alleged 'key conspirator' of the gold smuggling case, Mohammad Mansoor. During the investigation, Mansoor confessed to sending 100 kgs of gold to Sangli, which was smuggled from Dubai to Kerala, sources added.

Earlier, on Wednesday, the NIA arrested Muhammed Mansoor P. H, alleged to be a 'key conspirator' in the gold smuggling case pertaining to the seizure of the yellow metal from baggage addressed to an embassy official in Kerala. Mansoor was arrested by the NIA upon his arrival at the Calicut International Airport from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Read: NIA arrests a key conspirator in Kerala gold smuggling case

The case pertains to the seizure of 30 kg gold, worth Rs 14.82 crore, on July 5, 2020, at Air Cargo of Trivandrum International Airport by Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate, Cochin, from the baggage addressed to the Charge D' Affaires of UAE Consulate, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The NIA had registered the case on July 10, 2020, and taken up the investigation. A charge sheet has been filed by the NIA against 20 accused persons in January this year.

The NIA special court in Ernakulam had issued a non-bailable warrant of arrest against Mansoor. He was produced before a special court in Kochi and has been remanded in the agency custody for five days.

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