Kochi: In a firm rebuttal to allegations raised by the Customs, the Kerala Police have asserted before the High Court that their role in curbing gold smuggling at Karipur airport was lawful and did not infringe upon Customs’ powers.

In a clarification submitted to the High Court, the police have stated that they had not encroached upon the authority of Customs but had only strengthened enforcement measures to curb smuggling. They also sought a Home Department probe into the arrival of gold and other banned goods by bypassing Customs checks.

It further maintained that they function strictly under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and that the affidavit filed by Customs contained baseless and unwarranted allegations. They also argued that several points mentioned in the Customs affidavit had no relevance to the petition under consideration.

The clarification was submitted by the Malappuram District Police Chief through Public Prosecutor P Narayanan, in response to claims by Customs that the police action in seizing smuggled gold at Karipur airport was illegal and amounted to trespassing into the jurisdiction of the Customs Department.

The police submission was made in connection with a petition filed by P M Muhammed, a native of Vadakara, challenging the Manjeri court’s dismissal of his plea seeking the release of 169 grams of gold seized by the police.

Refuting the Customs' claim that police intervention would result in revenue loss to the exchequer, the police stated that the argument was contrary to facts. Between 2020 and 2025, a total of 174.28 kilograms of gold, valued at ₹20.81 crore, was seized through adjudication proceedings initiated by Customs in 45 cases reported by the police. These proceedings yielded fines amounting to ₹1.28 crore, thereby contributing to government revenue.

The police also contended that the affidavit filed by a Customs officer of the rank of Deputy Commissioner contradicted the official stance of the Customs Department itself. In several cases, the police said, they had seized gold and other banned goods that had entered by bypassing Customs controls. The police have also proposed measures to prevent the inflow of such contraband through this route.