Kerala's Crackdown on Smuggling: 150 Kg Gold Worth Rs 81 Crore Seized In 5 Years

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government on Friday said that approximately 150 kg of gold has been seized over the past five years in its efforts to combat smuggling operations in the state.

According to officials, the 150 kg gold is valued at Rs 81 crore. The officials added that nearly 337 Hawala cases were also registered and around Rs 123 crore was confiscated. 

As per the data released by Kerala Police, the maximum seizure took place in 2022 with 80 kg of gold being recovered throughout the year. 

18 kg Gold Seized In 2024 

“So far, in the current year, 18 kg of gold has been seized.Hawala fund detection peaked in 2023, with 94 cases involving Rs 39 crore uncovered. In the previous year, 67 cases worth Rs 35.5 crore were detected. As of this year, 67 cases amounting to Rs 150 crore have already been detected,” the data revealed. 

 CM Pinarayi Vijayan has instructed the state police to take strict action against the network of gold smugglers, and the recoveries and detections are a result of this crackdown, an official said. 

In 2023, the number of smuggling cases dropped to 61, involving 49 kg of gold. So far this year, 18 kg of gold has been seized. Hawala fund detections reached a high in 2023, with 94 cases amounting to Rs 39 crore uncovered. In the previous year, there were 67 cases worth Rs 35.5 crore. As of now, 67 cases totaling Rs 150 crore have already been detected this year.

(With inputs from ANI)