Kannur: A Kannur native was one of the members of the quotation gang involved in the Ramanattukara gold smuggling case, it has come to light.

Customs is looking out for Arjun Ayank (25), native of Azhikode in Kannur, who is on the run. Customs assistant commissioner E Vikas-led team conducted searches in his residence on Wednesday for over 2 hours but could not retrieve any incriminating documents.

Arjun was at home till Wednesday morning. His family members told customs that Arjun reached home early morning on the day of the Ramanattukara incident.

Police have got information that Arjun is suspected to be involved in political attacks and also in quotation activities in Kannur region. Arjun was a CPM supporter earlier but has no connection now. Police also suspect that an accused in Shuhaib murder case was also in the gang.

The involvement of Arjun was established after Perinthalmanna native Mohammed Shafeek was interrogated by the Customs. Shafeek told Customs that Arjun reached the Karipur airport in a red Swift car and had sent the photo of the car to Shafeek.

Arjun has also told Shafeek to change his dress in the bathroom and send him the photo as there are chances to steal the gold brought by him from Dubai. Following secret information received by the Customs, Shafeek was arrested from the airport while trying to smuggle gold.

The Facebook account of Arjun which was very active till Wednesday morning was in locked mode ever since news of Customs search. The post by Sarin Sasi, who was earlier a DYFI leader, had given clue on the political connections of the quotation gang.

The DYFI was forced to take a public stand against these kind of persons openly in Kannur earlier. Police had interrogated Kodi Suni in connection with the T P Chandrashekaran murder case based on a phone call by a quotation gang member from jail years back.