Kochi: Gold smuggled through the diplomatic channel circumventing tax was meant to some jewellery shops in north Kerala, according to Customs.
The last on the chain to get the gold has been identified, and they will be taken into custody soon.
Beginning from September the gang has smuggled in 150 kg gold through diplomatic channel via carriers.
Findings by Customs, however, contradict NIA’s claim that the smuggled gold was meant for terrorist purposes.
Customs will conclude the probe after finding the jewellery shops that bought the gold.
Customs maintains that NIA will probe whether jewellery shops or agents involved have any terrorist link.
Customs conducted raids in jewellery shops in Kozhikode and Malappuram and collected from four shops documents linking them to buying the gold.
One more person was taken into custody for investing money to buy the gold.
Customs has found that Malapuram native Ramees and Sandeep nair , currently in NIA custody, benefited most in smuggling the gold.
Sandeep nair put to use both Swapna Suresh and Sarith in smuggling the gold; he has them resigned their jobs at Consulate to smuggle gold, Customs said.