Kingpin of gold smuggling at Thiruvananthapuram Airport arrested

MALAPPURAM: The kingpin of gold smuggling at the Thiruvananthapuram Airport has been arrested. Reports said the native of Malappuram arrested by the customs is the one who bought the gold. He was taken into custody Sunday early morning and then brought to the customs office in Kochi.

Customs officials said the person arrested is the kingpin. It is believed that this is the most significant arrest so far. More details of this person have not been divulged. Reports said the customs have identified five more in connection with the case.

Meantime, the arrest of Swapna Suresh and Sandeep Nair, the two taken into custody by the NIA last night, has been registered. The two presently in Bengaluru will be brought to Kerala today. Reports said the two had plans to flee abroad.