CBI Probes Nexus Between Customs Officers and Gold Smugglers

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a preliminary investigation against four customs officers who were arrested for aiding gold smuggling acts at South Indian airports.

The investigation follows seizure of nearly 11.35 kilograms of gold worth over INR 4 Crores at Kannur International Airport in the southern state of Kerala by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials. The DRI had unveiled the nexus between gold smuggling rackets and customs officers. The preliminary probe launched by CBI is against the four customs officers- Rahul Pandit, Rohit Kumar Sharma, Krishan Kumar and Sakendra Paswan.

The DRI investigation revealed that Rahul Pandit has been assisting gold smuggling rackets by permitting carriers to come out safely from airport with gold. During this period, he has amassed huge wealth in the form of commission. As per sources, he used to charge up to INR 1 lakh for helping a carrier to take gold out of the airport. Also, he used to reside in an apartment owned by a gold smuggler.

The CBI investigation will also check the mobile phone data and call records of the arrested officials to confirm whether they are linked to more gold smuggling gangs.

As per official record, a total of 9 customs officers have been booked for aiding gold smugglers in the Indian state of Kerala so far this year.The two airports in the state- Kannur and Kozhikode have reported seizure of smuggled gold weighing 141.08 kilograms and 76.6 kilograms respectively during the past three months.