The stand-off between the State police and the Commissionerate of Central GST, Excise, and Customs over the ongoing police investigation into a gold smuggling racket allegedly involving a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officer at the Calicut International Airport has taken a curious turn, with the Customs wing refusing to share details of its officers who were on duty in October 2023.
The seizure of 503 grams of smuggled-in gold compound by the police from two passengers at the airport in the first week of October 2023 and their revelation connecting it to CISF and Customs officers had led to a tug of war between the two agencies.
While the Customs maintained that the State police did not have the mandate to seize gold from airport premises and to arrest carriers, the police insisted that they had the authority. A police raid on GST inspector Sandeep Nain’s quarters in Kozhikode complicated the situation with the Customs and the police hardening their stand.
The Customs has refused to share details of its officers on duty in October with the Vigilance wing of the police, which is currently investigating the case.
Published – November 24, 2025 09:16 pm IST
