KOCHI: The NIA has intensified its search for Faisal Fareed, the third accused in the gold smuggling case. The NIA has got the information from Intelligence agencies that Fareed and team have been using the big money they receive through gold smuggling deals for anti-national activities.

This is the reason why he was made the third accused in the FIR registered by the NIA.

The name of Faisal Fareed, the accomplice of accused Swapna Suresh, Sandeep and Sarith, came out only when Sarith was questioned. Faisal’s State connections will also be probed in the initial phase.

Meanwhile, the NIA is also on the lookout for Sandeep and Swapna Suresh, who have been absconding for the past one week. Though Swapna has sought anticipatory bail plea, her arrest can happen any time since the NIA has invoked sections of UAPA against her.