KOZHIKODE: Kunhum Veettil Abdul Rasik, 27, a native of Mattannur, Kannur, is a familiar face to enforcement agencies like the Customs and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). Yet he keeps trying his luck to smuggle in gold and foreign currencies through airports in Kerala. His latest attempt was foiled by the DRI last week, when he was arrested at the Karipur International Airport on arriving from Dubai with eight gold biscuits weighing 933 gm. He was caught by the DRI last February for smuggling foreign currency to Dubai. He was arrested back then, but released on bail.
It is not the case of Abdul Rasik alone as nearly five to eight repeat offenders are being picked up by enforcement agencies from airports in Kerala on a regular basis.
The new trend among the smugglers from North Kerala is none wants to give up the job even after being caught once or twice. Good remuneration and easy bail procedures keep youngsters glued to gold and currency smuggling.
Officers also suspect retaining the repeat offenders could also be a ploy as it will help distract the agencies’ attention, and smuggle in gold and other contraband using fresh faces.
“The carriers generally hail from poor families and the rackets use them by offering Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 for a single task apart from tickets, food and accommodation.
If caught, legal expenses are also met by the rackets. It gives them the confidence to continue taking risks,” said Karipur Airport Customs Assistant Commissioner M Mohammed Rafic.
“We’ve a system which flags when a repeat offender tries to fly in or fly out of an airport. But the smugglers keep on improvising methods,” the officer said.