Surabhi Khatun case: Kerala's 'dream' airport that everyone's now talking about

KANNUR: The introduction of Kannur International Airport back in 2018 was a dream turned reality for the people of Malabar. However now, the airport is at the epicentre of controversies after earning the name for being one of the country’s most scrutinized airports for being the conduit for the rising gold smuggling nexus.

The inspection in this airport will be tightened in the coming days following the unprecedented incident of an Air India cabin crew member getting arrested for smuggling gold through the rectum. According to the secret information provided by the central investigation agencies, passengers who turn out to be dubious to the security officials will be followed covertly even after they exit the airport premises.

In the last five months alone, Rs 14 lakh worth of illegal gold was caught by customs. Gold is smuggled in the form of a paste, smeared on socks, underwear, sanitary pads, in the form of metal wire, and hidden in buttons and electronic devices. Even women have been caught trying to conceal the gold within their private parts.

• Gold will be smeared in the form of a powder and will be kept inside the secret row in the innerwear.

• Gold in the form of mud is smeared on the clothes and body

• Gold pressed deep inside big chocolates

Gold seized in Kannur

2019 -62.972 kg

2020- 39.053 kg

2021- 69.304 kg

2022- 63.285 kg

2023- 31. 045 kg

In the last six years, even customs to cabin crew members were held for smuggling gold through the controversial Kannur airport.