KOCHI: The customs team probing the Karipur gold smuggling case arrested one more person in connection with the case on Tuesday. Ajmal, a native of Panur in Kannur, was arrested by the customs team after finding his alleged involvement in the gold smuggling. Ajmal will be produced at Ernakulam additional chief judicial magistrate (economic offences) on Wednesday.
Earlier on Monday night, customs took Ajmal and his friend Ashique into custody. After an interrogation that lasted nearly nine hours, customs recorded Ajmal’s arrest and let off Ashique.
According to customs, the SIM cards used by Ajmal for gold smuggling-related conversations were taken in his mother Sakina’s name. Sakina was questioned by customs on Monday. Sources said that Ajmal had recruited Shafeeque, who was intercepted at the Karipur airport, as the carrier of the smuggled gold. It is learnt that Ajmal provided SIM cards taken in his mother’s name to Arjun Ayanki and Mohammed Shafi too.
Customs sources said that Ajmal used the alias Mohammed to contact Shafeeque and give him directions. Also, he gave details of the persons to whom the gold must be delivered after landing at Karipur airport. Customs said that Ashique was released after questioning as his involvement in the case is limited.
Ajmal had close contacts with Ayanki and Shafi. It was Ajmal who introduced Shafeeque to Ayanki. Ajmal has close contact with the agent in Dubai who arranges carriers for smuggling gold. He will have to be interrogated again to find more details, customs source said.
Shafi interrogated
Meanwhile, customs let off Mohammed Shafi, a convict in the TP Chandrashekaran murder case, after interrogating him on Tuesday. Shafi, who appeared for questioning at the customs office around 10:45 am was questioned for nearly eight hours. Though there were reports that he would be arrested, the customs let him go by 8pm.
“Shafi needs to be questioned again and we are collecting more details about his involvement in the case. He will be summoned again soon,” a customs official said.
The customs decided to question Shafi after finding that he and Kodi Suni, another convict in TP murder case, were protecting the gang involved in gold smuggling in Kannur. Customs had summoned Shafi last week but he skipped interrogation.
