After the seizure of 30 kg of gold from a diplomatic consignment addressed to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) consulate at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, the Embassy has stated that they will fully cooperate with the Customs officials with regard to the probe.
UAE Ambassador Ahmed Albanna told Gulf News, as reported by ANI, “UAE looks forward to fully cooperating with Indian customs authorities to thoroughly investigate the matter and urges stringent legal action against those involved”.
Primarily it is believed that no one in the consulate is involved and a person who was familiar with diplomatic channel had misused it, he added.
Authorities in UAE have launched investigation to find out who sent cargo containing gold to UAE consulate’s address. Authorities have stressed that culprits who not only committed major crime but also sought to tarnish the reputation of UAE mission in India won’t be spared, UAE Envoy said.
The prime suspect of the smuggling racket, Swapna Suresh, a high-profile consultant with the Kerala IT department, is reportedly on the run after her name emerged in the investigation of a gold smuggling scandal which links her with top smugglers operating from the UAE. Her accomplice, Sarith, former PRO at the consulate was arrested by the Customs.
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