Dollar smuggling case:  Customs impose fine of Rs 65 lakh each on Swapna and Sivasankar and one crore for Santhosh Eapen

KOCHI: The customs informed that a fine of Rs 65 lakh each has been imposed on Swapna and former principal secretary to chief minister M Sivasankar in the dollar smuggling case. UNITAC MD Santhosh Eepan has also been fined Rs 1 crore and Khalid, the former head of the financial department of the UAE Consulate, has been fined Rs 1.30 crore. The Customs Preventive Commissioner Rajendra Kumar issued the order.

The customs have found that Sivasankar was aware of all the illegal activities centered around the consulate. Sandeep, Sarith, Swapna and M Sivasankar were fined Rs 65 lakh for smuggling dollar. The customs commissioner's report mentioned that Khalid illegally smuggled a large amount of foreign currency through Thiruvananthapuram airport. The customs claimed that a notice was issued to him thrice but he did not appear.

The report said M Sivasankar had a close relationship with Khalid and the accused were aware of all the illegal activities carried out through the UAE consulate. The fine was imposed as a follow-up to the completion of investigations into gold and dollar smuggling. The accused were given three months to file their appeal. After that, the property will be confiscated.