Karipur gold smuggling case: Carrier spills beans on sport of deceit by felony gangs

Express News Service
KOCHI: The Karipur gold smuggling case, which additionally led to a street accident claiming the lives of 5 individuals at Ramanatukara on the Kozhikode-Malappuram border final month, has make clear the deceitful ways utilized by felony gangs to take possession of the smuggled contraband. Customs officers obtained this inside info on the operations of assorted gangs after interrogating Muhammad Shafeeque, the service of the seized gold.

According to Customs officers, CPM sympathiser Arjun Ayanki and Yusuf, each from Kannur, shaped a felony gang that primarily helped in making certain the security of carriers bringing gold for buyers functioning in Koduvally, Malappuram and Kannur.

“They started as a gang providing security for carriers and transporting the smuggled gold from carriers to racketeers who invested and placed an order for the gold. They trace and recover carriers who try to flee with the smuggled gold. Thus they knew the persons who are sending gold from the UAE, those arranging it, middlemen and people in Kerala who are ordering the smuggled gold,” a Customs official mentioned.

After establishing shut hyperlinks with individuals concerned within the smuggling, the gang operated by Arjun began seizing the gold for the previous one yr instantly after it arrived in Karipur airport. The Customs is but to obtain details about the variety of events Arjun and his gang seized the smuggled gold that arrived in Karipur airport as he’s not cooperating with the probe.

“The statement of Shafeeque brings out the fact that members of one gang recruit men from other gangs as informers. These gangs then deploy criminals to abduct the carrier, physically assault him and steal the smuggled gold. Some cases of such abductions and physical assaults have been registered by the Kerala Police,” mentioned the petition filed by the customs division at Ernakulam Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (Economic Offence) courtroom on Monday.

Following a conflict of pursuits, Arjun and Yusuf shaped two completely different gangs. “The gold seized from Shafeeque was ordered by a set of investors based in Koduvally. Fearing that the smuggled gold will be snatched by other gangs, they entrusted Koduvally native Sufian to ensure the protection of Shafeeque when he arrived with the gold. However, Yusuf received information about the arrival of the consignment which was confirmed by Dubai based agents Saleem and Muhammad who recruit carriers and send illegal gold. Yusuf offered a commission to Muhammad and planned to divert the gold that is brought for the Koduvally based racket which hired Sufian,” mentioned the official.

However, a member of Yusuf’s gang leaked details about the arrival of the gold to Arjun and he determined to deceive Sufian and Yusuf to get away with it. He contacted the agent Muhammad and supplied a fee. He additionally spoke with service Shafeeque providing more cash and safety in case the Koduvally gang and Yusuf gang threaten him. “From someone inside Arjun’s gang and sources in Dubai, Yusuf came to know about the plan made by Arjun. So he again contacted Muhammad and Shafeeque ensuring that the gold reaches his hand safely. Shafeeque said that his plan was to hand over the gold to the gang of Yusuf who was also waiting for him outside Karipur airport,” the Customs official mentioned.

Involvement of TP homicide case accused Kodi Suni and Shafi

On the opposite hand, Sufian knew that Arjun’s gang can be current outdoors the airport to grab the smuggled gold after influencing the service. So he employed round 50 members of a felony gang primarily based in Cheruplassery in Palakkad district. However, Arjun informed Shafeeque that he mustn’t trouble about Sufian and Yusuf. The Customs officer mentioned Arjun informed Shafeeque that he has the backing of Kodi Suni, Shafi and Sufian, convicts within the homicide of T P Chandrasekharan, founding father of RMP, a breakaway group from the CPM. Arjun mentioned that he would guarantee Shafeeque’s safety. “However, following the directions of Muhammad at Dubai, he decided to hand over the gold to Yusuf,” the Customs official mentioned.

On June 21, when Shafeeque began his journey from Dubai, Arjun informed him to ship {a photograph} in order that he can determine him from the color of his shirt. Shafeeque knowledgeable Yusuf who requested him to alter the shirt after sending {a photograph} to Arjun. Shafeeque acted accordingly. However, finally, Shafeeque was caught by Customs officers on his arrival on the airport and confusion between numerous gangs led to a automobile chase that killed 5 individuals from Cheruplassery at Ramanatukara.

“As the smuggled gold is unaccounted, the investors cannot lodge any complaint. They also fear the political background of Arjun and his gang. We have to question Kodi Suni to check his links with the gang. We will approach the concerned court which convicted him in the TP murder case to question him at the jail. We handed over a notice at the house of Yusuf to appear for questioning on Tuesday. He is currently absconding,” the Customs official mentioned.