CHENNAI: In developments related to smuggling of 267 kg of gold chennai airporttwo main defendants YouTuber Sabir Ali and a Sri Lankan nationals Those arrested a few months ago have been arrested according to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange and Smuggling Prevention Act (COFEPOSA) By CHENNAI customs.
YouTuber Sabir Ali set up a souvenir shop At airports it is used as a front line for moving aircraft smuggling gold A total of nine people were arrested in the case, but except for two, the remaining seven men who worked at the souvenir shop were released on bail.
“These two are key figures and they have been detained COFPOSA Act,” a customs source said, adding that the measure has been taken to keep them away from illegal business for at least a year.
However, a panel of three judges will review the detention and decide whether to invoke the COFPOSA Act. A source said: “The review will take place soon.
Customs officials said that COFEPOSA is usually only applicable to serious offenders and in this case, the accused had smuggled 237 kilograms of gold worth Rs 1.67 billion since setting up shop inside the airport in February 2023. Customs detectives seized the store in June.
Meanwhile, customs detectives are hunting for another absconding defendant in the case. While three summonses issued against him have been returned, Customs has filed a motion with the court seeking a non-bailable arrest warrant against him. A team has been tracking his movements to arrest him. Customs sources said, “The suspects invested Rs 30 lakh as deposit for the shop they opened at the airport.”
