Swapna key member of gold smuggling gang: Customs

Swapna Suresh is a pivotal member of a gang engaged in smuggling gold, and that she has conspired and actively participated to facilitate the act of smuggling, according to the customs report submitted to the Kerala high court in the gold smuggling case on Juley 10.
The report was submitted in court while considering Swapna’s bail plea. The case will next be heard on July 14..
The seizure of 30 kg gold from a diplomatic consignment at the Trivandrum International Airport on Sunday has snowballed into a major political controversy in Kerala as the prime suspect, Swapna.
In an audio message on July 9, Swapna, who is on the run, said she had no role to play in the matter.
The Customs report states, “From the evidence gathered so far, it appears Swapna Suresh is a pivotal member of a gang engaged in smuggling of large quantities of gold to India by defrauding government agencies and customs department using the cover of diplomatic protection. And further she has conspired and actively participated to facilitate this act of smuggling.”
The report says that by 3.15 pm on July 5, Suresh had switched off her mobile phone and has been absconding since. Customs officers tried their best to serve her notice in all her know addresses.
The report says it is necessary to interrogate her in custody to unearth the correct facts.
“Additionally, involvement of higher government officials cannot be ruled out at this stage, which can only be unearthed if the investigation agency is permitted to interrogate Swapna,” it added.
The NIA has registered a case against Suresh as it is critical to national security and India’s ties with friendly states. The probe agency has also appealed that her bail application be dismissed.