Yellow metal sneaks in from Lanka through sea

Even in the last case, the DRI officials intercepted the consignment when it was being transported in a car after the consignment landed on the coast from Sri Lanka in a fishing boat. According to sources, several tonnes of gold had been smuggled into the state in the same manner as it is practically impossible for the enforcement agencies to keep an eye on the large number of fishing boats operating from these coastal areas. 

“Such seizures happen only in rare cases and that too on specific tip offs to the enforcement agencies by the spies in the trade. The smugglers prefer the sea route to bring in large quantities of gold from Sri Lanka as the risk factor has been less,” a DRI official said. 

Most of the Tamil fishermen cross the international maritime boundary and venture into Sri Lankan seas as the fish availability has been less in areas close to Indian shore. The smugglers strike a deal with these fishermen, mostly mid sea and offer them perks to carry the yellow metal to India. 

“In most cases, the smuggled goods land on the coast in regular fishing boats and the agents would be waiting at the coast to collect the contraband. Gold smugglers who have links in Sri Lanka and in South East Asian countries are those who use the sea route between Sri Lanka and India,” the official added. The gold first reach Sri Lanka from the countries in Middle East, Singapore and Malaysia. 

Then the yellow metal has been taken to Tamil Nadu through the sea route, the official explained. “Airports have better screening facilities against smugglers. So this cartel uses the sea route for smuggling large quantities. We still do not have a system to check the fishing boats that land at our harbours. Moreover, the porous coastline also allows them to have discrete landings,” a Customs official said. Fishermen fall easy victims to the smuggling cartel because of the money on offer. 

The smugglers make up to Rs 3 lakh per kilogram of smuggled gold and they pay a percentage as carrier charges. Fishermen find it a low risk affair and carry the gold. As per last year’s estimate more than 5000 kg of gold is expected to be smuggled to India. There has been a five time increase in smuggling of gold to India in the last three years, DRI sources said.