On 1 January, Kerala woke up to news about a hawala haul worth rupees 4.60 cr from Malappuram. Two persons transporting the money in a private car were arrested near Angadipuram in Perintalmanna. Fida Fahad and Ahmed Anees were detained. 

Both are from Thamarassery town bordering Kozhikode and Wayanad. It was the biggest catch of unaccounted money in the history of Malappuram. The vehicle was taken into custody at Angadipuram early in the morning.

The arrests were based on a tip-off received by the district police chief. Based on the secret information that they were moving currencies, the police conducted extensive vehicle searches in the area. The money was hidden in secret compartments under the car’s front seats. 

Police said the money was brought without documents. These were sorted into bundles, laid out on a table at the police station, and most of it was 500 rupee notes. Officers said the money would be handed over to the revenue authorities after counting. 

The carriers tried to appear like tourists and smuggled the black money in a car with a Karnataka registration. They chose this day, thinking there would be relaxed patrolling after the New Year celebration. They would have succeeded but for the informant. 

Media claimed this money was delivered from Bengaluru to Kozhikode and Malappuram districts for hawala distribution. The arrested accused have stated that they smuggled the money for a hawala gang. This version is highly suspect under the present circumstances.

Popular Front of India (PFI) members vandalised properties during the violence in the aftermath of a flash hartal on September 23, 2022. The court had directed the Kerala government to recover Rs 5.2 crore from PFI for compensation. It is suspected that hawala money could be used for this purpose. Such monies are routed through various bank accounts and emerge as accounted-for legal currency. Terrorist organizations like PFI are experts in this regard and have a history of indulging in such practices.

Political outfits like Congress and Indian Union Muslim League in Kerala and the ruling communist regime support them. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has openly ordered Kerala police not to show any haste in clamping down on these terrorists.

A handful of officers embedded in Kerala police, too, are suspected of helping these terrorists. During a follow-up raid by central NIA agents, they were active as late as last week. Under these circumstances, it is feared that the source of this current currency heist will never be found.

Kerala police would not release information about the sender or the end recipients. Reports suggest that the accused did provide hints in this regard.