Ernakulam (Kerala): Swapna Suresh, prime accused in the gold smuggling case, has reportedly revealed to the Customs investigation team that M Sivasankar, former Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, had no involvement in the smuggling.
According to reports, Swapna's statement during the Customs interrogation revealed that Sivasankar had no role in the gold smuggling. The United Arab Emirates Consulate General 'helped' to smuggle gold, Swapna reportedly disclosed.
According to Swapna's statement, smuggling gold through diplomatic baggage channel began way back in July 2019 and continued to happen until they were caught in June 2020.
At first, a dummy trial was carried out. Later, gold in smaller quantities was smuggled in. On being confident that the channel is safe and will not be checked, larger quantities of gold began to be smuggled in.
In the wake of COVID-19, the UAE Consulate General who helped in smuggling returned to his home country. However, even the Consulate General Attache who took charge in the place of Consul General was looped into the smuggling. Both of them were compensated with money for their 'favour' to smuggle gold.
The key links in the gold smuggling were Sandeep Nair and KT Rameez. Swapna said that she had met both of them in Dubai. It was through Sandeep that she became part of the gold smuggling, Swapna revealed.
Read: Kerala gold smuggling case: Swapna Suresh, Sandeep Nair sent to judicial custody till Aug 21
At the time, Swapna was the executive secretary with the UAE consulate. The other two accused sought Swapna's help to smuggle gold through the diplomatic baggage channel.
Swapna said that she had personal ties with Sivasankar and that he had attended parties along with her. However, Sivasankar was unaware of the gold smuggling, Swapna reportedly told the Customs team.
The Customs had interrogated Swapna while she was under NIA custody earlier this week. The NIA court had remanded both Sandeep and Swapna to judicial custody until August 21 and they were taken to the District Jail, in Kakkanad, Ernakulam.
The Customs team reached the District Jail and recorded the arrest of both Sandeep and Swapna. The Customs investigation team is expected to approach the Court to get both the accused to the Customs custody for further interrogation.
Read: Kerala Gold Smuggling: Special court sends Sarith PS to judicial custody till Aug 21
