Kochi: Customs say Arjun Ayanki, a Kannur resident who went missing in connection with the Karipur gold smuggling and Ramanattukara accident death, is the main link in the case. This is stated in the report submitted by Customs in the court dealing with financial crimes.
According to the arrested Mohammad Shafiq, Arjun was the mastermind. According to Shafiq, he received Rs 40,000 and a plane ticket as a reward, and Salim handed over the gold in a box from the airport.
Before leaving the plane, Arjun had called Ayanki. According to Shafiq, he was asked to change his shirt and put on a different color. Customs believe he was asked to change his shirt because he realized there was a drink between the gold smuggling rackets and that the gold smuggling was leaking.
Arjun Ayanki planned to buy gold from Shafiq on his way out of the airport. But before this, Shafiq was arrested.
Arjun Ayanki is a native of Azhikode, Kannur. His house was searched on Wednesday evening for two hours by Assistant Commissioner of Customs E. Vikas. Arjun was at home till Wednesday morning but later went into hiding.
