Police have arrested six persons who were believed to be part of a group planning to kidnap three gold smugglers at Karipur airport. On Thursday, the Customs and Preventive Department detained the three smugglers, Shafeek (31), Rameesh (28), and Fathah (20), all from Malappuram, upon their arrival from Jeddah. On the same day, customs officials also seized 7.651 kg of gold valued at Rs 4.5 crore from the airport in separate incidents.

While officials were transporting the suspects from the airport, police noticed a gang of six people loitering suspiciously around the customs vehicle. The police, who accompanied the customs, became suspicious of their behaviour and subsequently arrested them.

The six arrested were Suhail (28), Anwar (30), Baburaj (28), Amal (26), Jabir (38), and Muhammed Ali (28), all from Mannarkad and Perinthalmanna. The police also seized iron rods from them.