CBI chargesheet against 12 customs officials in Karipur smuggling

KOCHI: The CBI has submitted a chargesheet to the court regarding the smuggling and gold trafficking that channels rampantly through Karipur International Airport. The CBI findings question the motive of 13 customs officers and 17 other smugglers. Years before, secret hints about smugglers getting in cohorts with the customs officers reached the CBI and other investigative officers. On 12 January 2021, the CBI and DRI did a joint-sudden inspection which took the customs officers by shock. In the findings, it was seen the customs officers fawning smugglers an easy pass out of the airport with at least Rs 78 lakh worth of gold. Later the CBI halted the move and took in the customs officials to task. The CCTV visuals in the airport also proved costly for the customs officials. The Kochi unit inspector N R Suresh submitted the chargesheet to the court.