Gold smuggler T K Faiz spoke to CM’s aide

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Kochi: The Customs Department investigating the Nedumbassery gold smuggling case has reportedly found that arrested smuggler T.K. Faiz had made several calls to the Chief Minister’s office in  Thiruvananthapuram while he was in Dubai.
The smuggler, suspected of having extensive underworld dealings, used to ring up the CM’s additional private secretary Mr R.K. Balakrishnan, according to sources.
However, Mr Oommen Chandy was quick to deny the allegations, saying he will not take action against his staff based on rumours. “Let the investigation go on. No action will be taken until they find evidence for any link with my staff.”
Meanwhile, the customs has arraigned one K. Ashraf of Thalassery as the main accused in the case following the confessions of Faiz about the kingpin in the racket.
Ashraf, the owner of a company named Gold Medalist Exim, is believed to be the one who had allegedly been smuggling gold bars from Gulf countries to Kerala using Faiz and his aides. Dubai-based Ashraf, who owns a firm that distributes electrical switches in Kerala, also has several businesses in Dubai.
Faiz of Mahe near Thalassery, who fell in the customs net the other day, has also allegedly spilled out key information about the racket’s operations. The customs said Faiz is the second accused in the case, while his brother Faisal is the third accused.
Following Faiz’s confession, the customs raided the residences and business establishments of Ashraf, but failed to find any key information.
The raids were held at the Riverside Enclave near Kuyyalil in Thalaserry and the residence of Ashraf’s wife at Panur. Ashraf and family were believed to be in Dubai at the time of the raids.
The police  also raided Faiz’s house at Mahe. It is learnt that Ashraf absconded shortly after the arrest of Faiz. Ashraf also allegedly took away the documents, money and gold from their houses. But the cops have collected the ID cards and other personal documents of the accused.
The customs officers are also tracking the phone call details of Faiz and Ashraf to collect details about the racket’s links to prominent personalities. It is also understood that the customs got proof of Faiz calling Mr Sooranad Rajasekharan, although the Congress leader denied the allegations.
The CM’s former personal assistant Jikkumon Jacob is also believed to be a friend of Faiz, but he has denied the allegations, saying he had no clues about the smuggling activities.