Mumbai: In the gold smuggling case involving Afghanistan consul general Zakia Wardak, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) apprehended four jewelers from the city on Monday. The DRI stated that the syndicate managed to smuggle 300 kg of foreign-marked gold into the country within the first four months of this year, starting from January.
Suspected Involvement of Consulate Employee
Another employee of the consulate is currently under scrutiny in connection with the case. The DRI suspects that Wardak may have supplied gold bars to the arrested jewelers in the past. This highlights a potential network of individuals involved in the smuggling operation beyond just the jewelers.
Details of the Arrested Individuals
The arrested jewelers were identified as Vaibhav Thaker (31), Sahil Shah (36), Vinod Shah (60), all residents of Walkeshwar in South Mumbai, and Shailesh Jain (55), who resides in Marine Drive. The arrests followed the interception of Wardak on April 25th, when she was found carrying 25 kg of foreign-marked gold bars worth Rs 18.60 crore upon arriving from Dubai.
Connection to Syndicate Revealed
Investigations later revealed a potential connection between a consulate staff member, Rafiullah Kelewal, and the smuggling syndicate. Call detail records analysis indicated that Kelewal had been in continuous contact with Sahil Shah and Vinod Shah of SK Shah and Sons jewelers in Chira Bazaar, shedding light on the intricate web of relationships involved in the illegal activity.
Gold Smuggling Scheme Unraveled
During interrogation, Thaker disclosed that between January and April, Jain and his brother from J K Jewels had supplied a total of 300 kg of smuggled gold to customers introduced through him. This unveils the extent of the illicit operation and the volume of gold being circulated within the domestic market.
Further Investigations and Key Players
It was discovered that Wardak had visited the SK Shah office in January and proposed the delivery of gold bars in exchange for cash. Kelewal was introduced into the scheme, and an agreement was made to provide about 200 kg of gold to SK Shah in return for payment. The cycle involved Sahil Shah selling the gold in the local market and passing the cash to Kelewal, who then sold the gold to Thaker for cash.
Potential Involvement of Additional Members
According to a DRI officer, other key members of the syndicate, such as Tejas Shah of SK Shah and Sons, and hawala operators, have yet to be apprehended. This indicates a larger network of individuals and entities involved in the gold smuggling ring, raising concerns about the depth and reach of such illegal activities.
Insight: The complexity and organization of this gold smuggling operation reveal the meticulous planning and coordination among multiple individuals across different sectors. The entanglement of consulate staff, jewelers, and hawala operators sheds light on the sophisticated nature of such illicit operations, emphasizing the need for comprehensive measures to combat and prevent such criminal activities in the future.
