Air India hostess was a regular gold smuggler: DRI

The two women including an Air India Express cabin crew member, arrested for carrying six kg gold at the Kozhikode airport Friday, were regular carriers, according to an official of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).

The two were picked up by the DRI when they landed from Dubai at the Kozhikode airport Thursday.

Speaking to IANS, the official who did not wish to be identified, said the two admitted during  interrogation that they had worked as carriers on many occasions in the past also.

"They said that from July till they were caught, they have smuggled in 32 kg of gold through the Kochi, Chennai and Kozhikode airports," said the official.

The arrested cabin crew member Hiromas Sebastian, who is from Wayanad district, has been working with Air India Express for the past few years. The other arrested person has been identified as Raheela Cheerayi. Air India has already suspended its employee.

"The two arrested are close friends and the cabin crew lady was not on duty. The interrogation has just begun and they will be produced before an economic offences court here later in the day. It's too early to say if there are more women who are being used as carriers," said the DRI official.

Following the arrest of the two carriers, the DRI officials are zeroing in on businessmen based in Kannur and Kozhikode districts and also in Dubai and who are believed to be the kingpins of the smuggling racket.