Thiruvananthapuram: The Customs will serve notice to 52 people including the former UAE consulate general and attaché in the controversial Thiruvananthapuram airport gold smuggling case. The customs officials probing the case decided to forward notices ahead of filing the charge sheet.

Customs will serve notice to two UAE-based airlines for trying to convert normal cargo into diplomatic cargo.

Earlier, customs decided to take action against the former UAE consulate general and attaché.

Before sending the show-cause notice to the UAE officials, customs have to seek permission from the union ministry of external affairs. After getting permission, customs took action to send the notice.

Customs will serve the show-cause notice to 52 people including former UAE attaché Rashid Khamis and former UAE consulate general Jamal Hussain Al-Zabi.

The notice will explain the charges against them. It is learned that Customs will take further action into the case once the accused receive the notice.