Kerala gold smuggling case: Customs will get MEA nod to proceed towards UAE Consul General, attache

By Express News Service
KOCHI: The Customs probing the gold smuggling case has acquired permission from the Ministry of External Affairs to arraign the previous Consul General and Admin Attaché who served on the UAE Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram. Former Consul General Jamal Hussain Al Zaab and Admin Attaché Rashed Khamis Ali Musaiqri had left for the UAE final 12 months.

According to Customs officers, the involvement of each diplomats within the gold smuggling incident was revealed throughout the probe. “Both of them assisted Swapna Suresh and Sarith PS to clear the baggage containing gold that arrived from the UAE. They also were receiving remuneration as per the quantity of gold smuggling on 21 occasions. They are equally involved as other accused persons,” a Customs official mentioned.

As the duo loved diplomatic immunity, the Customs sought permission from the External Affairs Ministry earlier than taking additional steps towards them. “As both of them no more serve as diplomats, they can be made respondents in the case. The External Affairs Ministry has given the sanction to proceed with the case against them. We have also served notice to the Ministry of External Affairs and UAE Embassy,” he mentioned.

However, Customs officers are usually not positive that the duo will flip up for any process as a part of the case registered in India. “We have approached the Ministry of External Affairs seeking access to the Consul General and Admin Attache. But it seems UAE will not provide any access to these persons. But we can at least take legal steps against them in India,” he mentioned.

Of the 21 consignments containing gold, round 19 had been addressed to the UAE Consul General. One was despatched within the identify of the Admin Attaché. Around $100 was charged as fee by these diplomats for smuggling gold on every event. The Customs can also be probing the function of the Consul General within the case for smuggling out $190,000 from Thiruvananthapuram to Oman. His function within the alleged corruption behind the Waddakanchery LIFE Mission venture can also be being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).