Customs superintendent arrested with smuggled gold at Kozhikode airport

MALAPPURAM: The Karipur police on Thursday arrested Pollachi native P Muniyappa (46), the customs superintendent at the Kozhikode airport, with smuggled gold. Muniyappa, who was on duty, was nabbed when he was trying to help two Kasargod natives to smuggle 320 grams of gold outside the airport for Rs 25,000. The police also seized Rs 4,42,980, 500 UAE dirhams, valuable watches and passports of four passengers.

Muniyappa had found 640 grams of gold smuggled by Kasargod natives KH Abdul Naseer (46) and Jamsheer (20) while inspecting their luggage. Muniyappa, who made the two pay customs duty for half of the gold, made a secret understanding with them that he would bring out the remaining 320 grams of gold for Rs 25,000. He handed over his phone number to them and directed them to call him after 8 am. He told them that he would hand over the gold at 12 noon at the lodge where he lives near the airport.

Following a tip-off received by the district police chief, the police arrested the Kasargod natives outside the airport. Following this, Muniyappa was arrested. He was later handed over to the Customs.