Chennai: Four people were detained by customs and DRI officials from Chennai and Tiruchy airports with foreign currencies valued Rs 1.32 crore while they trying to smuggle out suspected hawala money on Saturday morning to Singapore.
Three passengers travelling with Singapore tourist visa in Jet Airways flight to Singapore from Chennai were found carrying Rs 42 lakh worth foreign currency hidden in folded clothes in their baggage. There were bundles of US dollars, Euro and Saudi Riyals, airport sources said.
Meanwhile, DRI sleuths caught another passenger in Tiruchy airport who was to fly to Singapore early Saturday morning in IA express Chennai– Tiruchy– Singapore flight.
A press release said the DRI had identified the suspect passenger sitting at the aircraft and followed him when the flight landed at Tiruchy airport. When examined two hand luggage carried by the suspect passenger, it was found that foreign currency bundles, worth Rs 92 lakh, were kept meticulously concealed inside the bottom portion of two stroller bags. The customs and DRI officials at Chennai and Tiruchy airports booked all the four passengers.
