NIA remand copy accessed; Kingpin in gold smuggling case has political links

National Investigation ncy (NIA) on Tuesday told a court that accused in Kerala gold smuggling case, Swapna Suresh and Sandeep Nair, h conspired toger to “dam monetary stability of India by destabilising ecomy by smuggling a large quantity of gold from abro and it is suspected that y h used proceeds of smuggling for financing terrorism through various means”. In remand copy, accessed by Republic TV, NIA makes mention of one KT Ramees, who ncy believes is kingpin of case. KT Ramees is currently in custody of customs department. 

According to NIA, “Sandeep Nair stated that KT Ramees insisted for smuggling gold in larger quantity and maximum numbers during lockdown period as financial position of country is weak. Sandeep also stated that KT Ramees commands and always moved with a group of persons and have contacts abro.”

It is suspected that KT Ramees also has political connections in state. It is widely believed that his family members have direct connections with a political party in Kerala. Sources say KT Ramees has been named as an accused in various or gold smuggling and poaching cases. 

NIA has also informed court that Swapna Suresh has mitted that proceeds of crime were invested with various banking and n-banking channels including safe deposits. While in custody, Swapna Suresh showed her chats with or accused in case and UAE authorities regarding diplomatic bagg in which gold was smuggled to India and seized by customs at International Airport. ncy maintains that some of chats were deleted which is w being retrieved.  

or accused in case, Sandeep Nair has mitted about place where y "conspired to commit crime and places where y conspired to commit crime and also about places where y h received consignment as well as illegal proceeds.”