KOCHI: The customs arrested three more people in connection with the gold smuggling at the Thiruvananthapuram Airport. The three held are aides of Rameez, a native of Malappuram,arrested earlier.

Jalal of Moovattupuzha and two others were arrested by the customs. They are accused in many gold smuggling cases. The customs took them into custody Monday night.

The customs and the NIA are connecting the probe to gold smuggling teams having international links. Rameez, held earlier is a key link in the network controlling gold smuggling in the state.

There are many cases against Jalal related to gold smuggling via Thiruvananthapuram, Delhi and Bengaluru airports. Neither the customs nor the DRI were able to nab him so far.

The customs have noticed that Jalal and his gang bought the gold worth 40 crore smuggled to the country by Swapna Suresh, Sandeep and Sarith.