The Central Bureau of Investigation on Thursday arrested Customs Assistant Commissioner S. Anil Kumar on the charge of abetting the smuggling of gold from the Gulf into the country through the Cochin international airport.
Anil Kumar, an Indian Revenue Service officer posted at the airport, was summoned to the CBI’s office in Kochi for questioning and arrested subsequently.
The CBI had questioned him in connection with the case earlier. CBI officials said details of Anil Kumar’s involvement in the smuggling case had been revealed from the interrogation of Faiz Thondandavida, prime accused in the case.
The officials said Anil Kumar’s role was similar to that of accused Customs Deputy Commissioner C. Madhavan and Preventive Officer P.P. Sunilkumar.
The officers allegedly abetted smuggling in return for cash and gifts. “We are investigating if they were involved in any other way. We have evidence of financial transactions between Anil Kumar and some of the other accused,” said a CBI official.
The smuggling operations came to light after two women – Asifa and Arifa – were detained at Nedumbassery last month with 10 kg of gold each. Faiz, a resident of Mahe, allegedly masterminded the operations and sought the help of Customs officials to ensure that gold carriers were cleared through security checks.
Anil Kumar will be produced before a CBI special court in Kochi on Friday.
