Two Held at RGIA with Rs.1.56 Crore Foreign Currency in Plastic Covers
During preliminary questioning, it was revealed that another female passenger was also travelling with him on the same flight on a different PNR.
Hyderabad: Two Indian passengers were arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad after foreign currency worth approximately Rs,1.56 crore was recovered from their possession.
According to reports, the two passengers were scheduled to travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on AirAsia flight AK-68 when they were intercepted based on specific intelligence received by the DRI’s Hyderabad Zonal Unit (HZU).
The seizures were made on October 22 and 23.
During examination of his cabin baggage, foreign currency comprising USD 66,600, MYR 3,773 and SGD 2, collectively valued at approximately Rs 63.62 lakh, was recovered concealed inside a black plastic cover kept among clothes in his trolley bag.
During preliminary questioning, it was revealed that another female passenger was also travelling with him on the same flight on a different PNR. Immediately, surveillance was mounted, and the said female passenger was identified and intercepted. Examination of her cabin baggage resulted in the recovery of USD 97,600, valued at approximately Rs 91.94 lakh, similarly concealed inside a black plastic cover among clothes in her trolley bag. Both passengers failed to produce documents supporting the lawful procurement and carriage of the foreign currency.
Accordingly, the entire foreign currency, valued at approximately Rs 1.56 crore, along with the trolley bags used for concealment, was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. Both the passengers were arrested. Further investigation is in progress.