KOCHI: Attempts were made to smuggle 1,327.06 kg of gold into Kerala in six years. Customs seized the most smuggled gold during the controversial gold smuggling period of 2019-20-533.91 kg. The highest number of cases was registered in the same year-799 nos.

The value of gold seized is Rs 1120.62 crore! 2,224 cases were registered by Customs during the period.

Kochi Customs Preventive Division Assistant Commissioner RR Goswami said in a report released under the Right to Information Act that the increase in security at the airport following the gold smuggling case has blocked the flow of gold into the state.

From 2020 to February 2021, only 195.34 kg of gold was seized. In the early days, gold was smuggled in as biscuits, but now new techniques are being adopted. Gold is transported in wigs and capsules.

Year - Case - Gold Seized (Kg) - Total Value (Lakhs)

2015-16 - 69 97.62 2205.43

2016-17 - 66 46.09 1333.845

2017-18 - 242 103.57 2899.04

2018-19- 638 350.53 7038.43

2019-20 - 799 533.91 18582.06

2020-21 - 410 195.34 8003.427