THIRUVNANATHAPURAM: As the emigration check has been made stricter at airports, extensive illegal smuggling of gold and humans have been going at Vizhinjam harbours, according to secret sources.

According to the sources, certain goods are smuggled without any valid documents to Maladweep in ships. There are two wharfs in Vizhinjam; one is old and one is new. The smuggling is happening through one of them. Normally, a maximum of 250 tonne vegetables are smuggled through his point. The suspicion is that illegal export is also happening under the cover of this vegetable transport. Following the exposure of Munambam human trafficking, the issuing of licence and other procedures for export at the Vizhinjam harbour came under suspicion.

According to rules, ports have to function as per Port Manuel and Customs Act but for the past several years, goods are loaded and exported without any checks as per rules. Currently, Vizhinjam wharf is functioning under Kollam Port officer. There are hints that certain custom officers and top port officers may soon be in the dock if further investigation is conducted based on the above information.