THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The noose is tightening around former principal secretary M Sivasankar in the gold smuggling case as accused Sarith has reportedly given a damaging statement against him on Saturday.

Sairth is learnt to have told the NIA that he has close relationship with Sivasankar and the latter was aware of the gold smuggling through the diplomatic channel at Thiruvananthapuram airport.

Sivasankar may be questioned again on the basis of this statement.

Meanwhile, NIA is continuing its intense raid and questioning in the City. Two speaparate NIA reams have taken along second accused Swapna and first accused Sandeep Nair for collecting evidence.