THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Customs department has discovered that accused Swapna Suresh and her accomplices had smuggled around 230 kg of gold through the Thiruvananthapuram airport in the last 12 months. According to sources, gold worth Rs 112.3 crore had been smuggled within last one year. It is also learnt that the diplomatic route was used by the group 23 times.

According to officials, Swapna and her gang started using the diplomatic route from July 9, 2019. The gold was hidden in bags containing food and household appliances that weighed up to 152 kg.

It was first accused Sarith who cleared the cargos 23 times. These cargos were addressed to the UAE Consulate attache's name. sources also added that several persons including accused Faisal Fareed had sent gold via diplomatic baggage by using fake seals and emblems of the UAE Consulate.

The Customs has also seized a bag that Swapna had handed over to one of her friends. The bag, which consisted of Rs 15 lakh and foreign currency, was handed over by Swapna as soon as the smuggled gold was seized at the Thiruvananthapuram airport.