KOZHIKODE: The number of gold smuggling cases that were registered at Calicut International Airport, Karipur, has drastically come down this year, according to the data obtained by DC. However, top officials feel that the decline in gold seizure may be an indication that smugglers have opted for routes safer than Karipur.
While the numbers of gold seizures were 84 during 2014-15, it had come down to 49 during 2015-16 and just three during 2016-17. The quantity of gold also has dwindled from 102 kilogram in 2014-15 to 85 kilogram in 2015-16. “Though the seizure cases have reduced, it cannot be assumed that the smuggling cases have come down. On many occasions, the ground handling agencies, who clear the aircraft, were held responsible. Their actions were under suspicion vis a vis security breaches around the compound wall of the airport,” said one of the officials.
The officials also hint at lapses on the part of the ground handling staff. There were many incidents in the past when the contract staff of the ground handling wing was held responsible for security lapses as well as colluding with smugglers. The contract for ground handling staff of one of the airlines will expire on Friday. Different airlines entrust duties to various agencies and to continue the service, they need to be provided with extra passes. In the case of Air India’s agency, these passes will also expire on Friday.
