Former Consulate Staff Arrested for Gold Smuggling Through Diplomatic Channel

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Customs officials at Indian airport have arrested a former consulate employee accused of smuggling gold through diplomatic channel.

The Customs authorities seized over 30 kilograms of gold worth over INR 15 crores Friday at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in South India, from a diplomatic consignment bound for the UAE Consulate General. Upon opening the consignment, the officials discovered 24-carat gold in cylindrical form, found hidden within equipment.

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The alleged person, Sarith Kumar, who claimed himself as a former employee of the UAE Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram, was arrested, following interrogation. The arrest took place while he attempted to collect the diplomatic bag using fake ID card. The diplomatic baggage had arrived at the airport on a chartered flight from the UAE. The authorities are in search of a woman, Swapna Suresh, who is considered as the mastermind behind the smuggling attempt, in connection with the incident.

Meantime, the UAE Embassy condemned the attempted misuse of diplomatic channels for illicit activities and noted that it firmly rejects such acts. In a statement, Ahmad Al Banna, the UAE’s ambassador to India, offered full co-operation of the Embassy to the investigating agencies in India to bring the culprits to book.