In a shocking incident highlighting security concerns at a major international gateway, a man returning from the United Arab Emirates was allegedly abducted at gunpoint from the premises of Kochi airport in the early hours of Friday. The victim was later abandoned after being robbed of valuables worth lakhs, with police now suspecting the involvement of an organized gold smuggling racket.
Midnight Abduction at Airport Arrivals
The victim has been identified as Muhammad Shafi, a 40-year-old native of Kasaragod who worked as a delivery boy in a cafeteria in Ajman, UAE. The terrifying ordeal began around 12:30 am on Friday as Shafi, who had just arrived on a flight from the UAE, was walking towards the prepaid taxi counter.
According to his statement, three individuals threatened him with a gun from behind and forcibly took him into a waiting car. The abductors, totaling six men, then drove him around before finally abandoning him at Paravoor Kavala in Aluva around 2:30 am. During this two-hour span, the assailants robbed Shafi of his belongings, including a mobile phone worth Rs 1 lakh and his luggage.
Police Probe Points to Gold Smuggling Link
Investigating officers have revealed that they are exploring a possible connection to a gold smuggling racket. The modus operandi and targeting of a passenger arriving from the Gulf have raised strong suspicions of organized crime involvement, rather than a random act of theft. The police are scanning CCTV footage from the airport and surrounding areas to identify the six accused.
This brazen crime, occurring within the airport's premises, has raised serious questions about the safety of passengers, especially during late-night arrivals. The incident underscores the challenges faced by security agencies in preventing such coordinated attacks despite surveillance.
Separate Seizures Highlight Airport's Smuggling Woes
In unrelated but concurrent incidents at Cochin International Airport, enforcement agencies made significant seizures on the same day. Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials confiscated 7.6 kg of hybrid ganja valued at a staggering Rs 7 crore from three passengers who were natives of Kottayam.
The trio had arrived on an Air Arabia flight from Bangkok via Abu Dhabi. In another case, Customs officials seized 13,500 US dollars from the baggage of an outbound passenger who was heading to Dubai. The currency was detected by vigilant security personnel who subsequently informed the customs authorities.
These multiple incidents in a single day paint a concerning picture of the airport being used as a conduit for various illegal activities, ranging from abduction and robbery to drug and currency smuggling. The abduction of Muhammad Shafi remains the most severe, given the direct threat to passenger life and safety.
