Customs officials and other central agencies have launched an investigation into alleged links between a Sub Inspector in Kannur and the key accused in a hawala racket, who was arrested recently after Customs and the police seized ₹3.15 crore in hawala money.

After the seizure, the prime accused, Salman, and his associate, Muhammed, who were travelling behind the vehicle carrying the cash, reached Mananthavady while attempting to recover the money. Following Salman's arrest, police examined his call data records, which revealed alleged contact between the officer and the racketeer.

Before the joint team of the police and the Customs Preventive Wing apprehended the suspects, Salman had reportedly made several calls to the officer. Investigators suspect the Sub Inspector may have acted as a fixer, mediating disputes between multiple smuggling networks. Officials also believe the seizure may have stemmed from an act of retaliation, as both Customs and the police had received advance intelligence about a major illegal transfer—either narcotics or hawala funds.

The operation was carried out by the Customs Preventive Commissionerate in Kozhikode, led by Joint Commissioner Shashikanth Sharma and Deputy Commissioner Shyam Nath. The action followed specific information passed on by District Superintendent of Police Taposh Basumatari. Earlier, Customs, with support from the Wayanad Police, had detained three carriers and two operators in connection with the money seizure.

According to the police, the three youths initially arrested were carriers moving cash from Bengaluru to Vadakara on Salman's instructions. Salman and Muhammed are believed to be key operatives in a Gulf-based hawala network that channels illegal funds between Bengaluru and Kerala. Both reportedly admitted during interrogation that they worked as commission agents.