Thiruvananthapuram: Customs Preventive Assistant Commissioner N S Dev has been removed from the probe team that investigates into the Thiruvananthapuram gold smuggling case in which Swapna Suresh is an accused. The action has been taken soon after Swapna's statement given to the Customs was leaked through the media.

Swapna Suresh's statement against Anil Nambiar, the coordinating editor of Janam TV, was published through the media the other day. With this, the BJP leaders were put on the defensive.

The Customs officials assume that the statement was leaked with political intentions. Following this, the official was removed from the probe team. It is learnt that the Centre also expressed dissatisfaction over the incident, it is learnt.