Chennai: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a First Information Report (FIR) in connection with a large-scale gold export fraud at Chennai Airport Cargo. Investigators allege that a network of Customs officials and jewellery traders defrauded the Union government of more than ₹1,000 crore every year between 2020 and 2022.

The FIR lists 13 accused, including five Customs officials, a jewellery assessor, a customs agent, and four gold jewellery manufacturers.

Those booked include Customs Superintendents J Sureshkumar, Alok Shukla, and P Tulasiram, jewellery assessor N. Samuel, customs agent Mariyappan, and manufacturers Deepak Siroya, Santosh Kothari, Sunil Parmar, and Sunil Sharma.

How did the fraud take place?

According to investigators, the accused imported 24-carat gold bars under the Duty-Free Import Authorisation (DFIA) scheme, which required that the bars be converted into 22-carat ornaments for re-export.

Instead, they allegedly exported gold-plated brass and copper ornaments or substandard jewellery, pocketing the margins and causing heavy losses to the exchequer.

How was the scam exposed?

The racket first came to light in 2022 when the Central Revenue Intelligence (CRI) detected irregularities in bills of lading for consignments being sent to Gulf countries.

Physical inspections revealed fake or inferior ornaments instead of genuine gold jewellery. CRI then recommended a CBI probe, but sanctions to prosecute Customs officials delayed the process.

The Union government recently granted approval, enabling the agency to proceed with the case.

What action has the CBI taken?

Since filing the case, CBI teams have conducted searches at:

  • The Chennai Airport Customs Cargo Office
  • Residences of Customs officials in Pallavaram, Alandur, Nanganallur, and Anna Nagar
  • Jewellery shops and manufacturers’ offices in Flower Bazaar, Sowcarpet, and Kondithope

Officials also examined the XRF Spectrometer used to test gold purity at the cargo terminal and seized incriminating documents.

What does the case reveal?

CBI sources stated that the case highlights systemic vulnerabilities in customs checks and misuse of trade facilitation schemes.

With evidence still being collected, officials indicated that more individuals may come under scrutiny and that the fraud could turn out to be one of the biggest financial crimes linked to airport cargo operations in the country.

IANS inputs