Gold smuggling racket busted in Kochi: Role of film stars suspected
An incident that came to light as a one-off crime report last week in Kochi has snowballed into a major criminal case with international ramifications. Some of the prominent Malayalam film stars are being used as couriers to smuggle in gold from West Asian countries to various groups including terrorist gangs, if the reports coming out of Ernakulam Police Station are any indication.
It all started with Shamna Kasim, an upcoming film artist complaining to the Police that a group of people who had approached her parents with marriage proposal were hatching a plan to kidnap her with the intention to ask for ransom money.
Shamna’s mother filed a police case against five persons who had approached the family with a marriage proposal. The group had furnished fake identities about the youth and his family. This was followed by the group calling on Shamna’s parents at her Kochi home. Their dubious behaviour aroused suspicion in the minds of her parents who filed a complaint.
The police arrested all the five youth mentioned in the complaint and took into custody five more persons who are said to be their associates. It turned out that they were members of a major racket specialising in gold smuggling, blackmailing and flesh trade. On interrogation, the youth disclosed that they were in contact with many more film personalities.
Related Posts
Can blockchain stem the tide of counterfeit drugs in India?
Counterfeit drugs are a multi-billion dollar problem. Now pharma companies are...
DRI seizes fake currency notes of Rs 18.75 lakh, 1 held
New Delhi , Jan 15 (ANI): The officers of DRI, Nagpur, have seized Fake Indian...
Two nabbed with 6.5 kg contraband items in Manipur: Police
Chandel (Manipur) , March 18 (ANI): Two alleged smugglers were arrested and 6.5...
As prices soar, gold seizures by Customs hits all-time high in Chennai
Spiralling gold prices and a sagging economy may have dampened the spirits of...