Kerala: Former UAE consulate employee held, co-accused woman absconding

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Customs department has arrested a former employee of UAE consulate here for smuggling gold through the diplomatic channel at Trivandrum International Airport.
The person, Sarith, had received the cargo by claiming to be a staff member of the consulate. A woman, Swapna Suresh, who is believed to be his co-accused is absconding. She was terminated from a senior post with the state IT department following reports about her involvement in the case.She was also employed with the consulate earlier.
Customs officers had seized 30kg gold, brought as household item in diplomatic baggage, from the airport cargo on Sunday.
Sarith is being questioned at the Commissionerate of Customs (Preventive), Kochi. It is alleged that Sarith had been receiving the cargo for the consulate at the airport for the past one year by claiming to be working as public relations officer to the consulate.
The customs officers knew that the consignment was illegal and had sought approval from higher authorities to examine it. As per procedure, the consignment was opened in front of the consignee who disowned it.
Not a staff of the consulate
The person who came to claim the cargo was not a consulate staff for the past one year. We are investigating how such a person can receive the cargo. He is cooperating with us and we hope the others will surrender soon,” customs commissioner Sumit Kumar said.
There is no word yet on the involvement of any diplomat in the case. Customs is investigating the previous incidents of Sarit receiving cargo from the airport and also the consignees in each of them. It is alleged that he had threatened Customs officers against examining parcels for the consulate.
“Since the case involves diplomatic baggage which was brought in the name of a person with diplomatic immunity, there are certain legal procedures to follow. This is a slow process,” Kumar said.