NIA Arrests Malappuram Native in 2020 Thiruvananthapuram Gold Smuggling Case
Kochi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a Malappuram native, Ramzan Parancherry alias Sabu Pullara, in connection with the 2020 Thiruvananthapuram gold smuggling case. Ramzan, 40, had been absconding ever since he was named as the 34th accused in the case, which involved smuggling gold from the UAE using diplomatic baggage.
On February 20, Ramzan arrived Kerala after over four years of evasion. His return was not ignored, either, as immigration officers detained him at the airport because of a 2020 NIA lookout circular. Following this, the agency took him into custody and officially recorded his arrest.
On March 1, a court in Kochi granted the NIA four-day custody of Ramzan for further interrogation. Once the custody period concludes on Tuesday, he will be presented before the court again.
Key Role in Gold Smuggling Network
According to NIA sources, Ramzan was actively involved in the smuggling operation, which saw gold being illegally transported from the UAE to India under the cover of diplomatic shipments addressed to the UAE Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram.In order to learn more about other suspected people who are still hiding in the United Arab Emirates, his capture is seen to be essential.
Officials think that interrogating Ramzan will reveal further information about the money sources, operations, and coordination of the network between India and the United Arab Emirates of the smuggling gang.
166 kg Gold Smuggled Over 21 Occasions
The gold smuggling case has a total of around 35 accused, out of which nearly 25 have been arrested so far. According to investigations, on June 30, 2020, gold hidden in diplomatic luggage arrived at Thiruvananthapuram airport, which was opened on July 5. A total of 166 kilograms of gold were carried into the nation using this means in 21 different cases during the smuggling operation, which began in November 2019.
The NIA anticipates that Ramzan’s arrest will lead to more progress in identifying the smuggling network’s financial transactions and identifying the masterminds who are still at large in the United Arab Emirates.