KOZHIKODE: A Delhi-based jewellery designer found a lucrative 'business' opportunity in Malayalis' craze for gold . He hired chain-snatchers and flew them down-with all expenses paid-to the state, police said here on Sunday.

Jeweller Haji Sony's network of chain-snatchers was revealed after a group of youngsters gave chase and caught two motorcycle-borne men, who tried to snatch a chain from a woman at Chettikulam on Saturday evening.

The arrested duo, Muhammed Shakeel (30) and Noushad Ali (24), told interrogators that Sony had deployed six more men in the state, with specific orders to focus on Kozhikode, Thrissur and Ernakulam, district police chief G Sparjan Kumar said here on Sunday.

Shakeel and Ali were arrested during their third visit here. Police said three stolen gold chains and a Delhi-registered two-wheeler were recovered from the duo.

The accused were involved in 11 chain-snatching incidents since January and their victims had identified them, police said.

Police said the duo was in city in January for two days, and left with five gold chains. They visited the city again on February 21, and in three days, returned with as many chains. They came to Kozhikode again on March 12, and managed to get three chains, before running out of luck. In January, they were in the city for two days, police said.

City resident Santhosh Kumar , who had seen Wednesday's chain snatching at Elathur, witnessed Saturday's incident also, which led to the duo's arrest.

It was the bike's Delhi registration number that caught Santhosh's attention on Saturday. He informed a few people, and along with them, chased and caught the duo.

"The arrests were recorded when a woman, who had lost her chain on Wednesday, identified the accused," assistant commissioner of police (Kozhikode North) Prince Abraham said. The men have been remanded in judicial custody. Police said they would seek their custody soon. Delhi police have been alerted about the kingpin, Sony.

