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Former UAE consulate staff held for bid to smuggle gold from Dubai

Dubai - Authorities at the Thiruvananthapuram airport earlier foiled a bid to smuggle 30kg gold in a diplomatic parcel marked to the consulate.

A former locally-hired employee of the UAE Consulate in the south Indian state of Kerala has been arrested in connection with a gold smuggling case. The suspect, Sarith, is believed to have worked as a PRO at the consulate.

The authorities have also launched a manhunt to arrest another former consulate employee identified as Swapna Suresh. This suspect served as an executive secretary at the consulate, but was fired earlier for misconduct, the mission told Khaleej Times.
UAE embassy condemns misuse of diplomatic channels to smuggle gold to India

The UAE Embassy in India denied having any links after authorities at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport foiled a bid to smuggle 30kg gold in a diplomatic parcel marked to the consulate. The parcel was reportedly sent from Dubai.

Investigations revealed that the duo has allegedly masterminded smuggling bids in the past, with Sarith believed to have accepted parcels sent to the UAE Consulate.

"The Embassy of the UAE in India condemns the attempted misuse of diplomatic channels by an individual engaged in smuggling activity. The embassy firmly rejects such acts and unequivocally affirms that the mission and its diplomatic staff had no role in this matter," the UAE embassy said in the statement to Khaleej Times on Sunday.