CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SUPERINTENDENT AT SURAT’S AIRPORT SUSPENDED FOR ‘HAND-IN-GLOVE ROLE’ WITH GOLD PASTE SMUGGLERS

The Customs and Excise department superintendent of Surat has been suspended from her duties after a vigilance inquiry was proceeded against her for her alleged involvement in aiding gold smugglers.

In the beginning of June, customs department officials received information about three women from Mumbai travelling to the UAE who were concealing illegally smuggled gold paste and were to land at Surat midway. The suspected superintendent, Preeti Arya, who was posted at the Surat airport, happened to be absent on the day of the landing.

Officials questioned and frisked the suspected travellers, finding over 1,400 grams of gold paste on them.

On further questioning, the trio alleged that they have a “mutual understanding” with a customs female officer posted at Surat Airport who was not there on the day. The officials on the duty later learnt that these women were referring to Arya.

Sources said that a departmental probe was initiated on these allegations. Arya’s phones and other gadgets were seized by the vigilance team and her statements were also recorded.

A senior customs official on condition of anonymity said, “Preeti Arya has been suspended by the orders of the State Head of Customs and Excise department, after her role of hand-in-glove with the women. The probe is still ongoing.”

Sources said that Arya had earlier worked in Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. Her possible role there is also being assessed by department officials.

 

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2024-06-26T14:00:37Z dg43tfdfdgfd