The standoff between the state police and the Central Bureau of GST, Excise and Customs over the ongoing police probe into gold smuggling allegedly involving a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officer at the Calicut International Airport has taken a strange turn, with the customs department refusing to share details of its officers who were on duty in October 2023.
The police’s seizure of 503 grams of smuggled gold compound from two passengers at the airport in the first week of October 2023 and their disclosure linking it to the CISF and customs officials led to a tug-of-war between the two agencies.
While the customs authorities argued that the state police had no mandate to seize gold from airport premises and arrest transporters, the police insisted that they had the authority. A police raid on GST inspector Sandeep Nain’s quarters in Kozhikode complicated the situation with customs officials and police hardening their stance.
Customs refused to share details of its constables on duty in October with the police Vigilance Department, which is currently investigating the case.
Published – 24 Nov 2025 21:16 IST
