In 2020, a Customs investigation highlighted that an Indian native and a major hawala dealer, Rabins Hameed, financed smuggling of gold through diplomatic channels and other smuggling networks from Dubai. He was also involved in the 2015 Nedumbassery gold smuggling case, where 1,500 kg of gold was smuggled in two years. A Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) was issued against Rabins and one of his partners, Faisal. Besides, INTERPOL was also being approached for extradition of the two accused, who were operating from the UAE.