Chennai: Customs officials at Chennai Airport had a busy Sunday morning seizing nearly Rs 90 lakh worth of foreign currencies and gold from three passengers.
According to a customs press statement, the officials intercepted Kalimuthu Natesaperumal (51) of Sivaganga when he was approaching the security check point on early on Sunday. “He was stopped on suspicion and was taken in for questioning as he appeared to be nervous. When checking his baggage, foreign currencies concealed between saris were found,” the statement said.
About 66,300 Euros, $US 32,770, $S 1,600 and 2,650 Brunei Dollars in different denominations, totally valued at Rs 77 lakhs were recovered.
Apart from foreign currencies, Rs 4.6 lakh cash was found in his jacket pocket. Kalimuthu Natesaperumal, who was about to board a Singapore-bound flight, was arrested for further interrogation.
A few hours later, at around 10 am, the officials stopped another passenger - Rakeebudeen Kaja Nawas (43) of Ramanathapuram - who was bound for Colombo, at the departure terminal on suspicion. “During the search of his baggage, the official found $US 5,000 (about Rs 3.5 lakh.) As he has not declared the amount, the currencies were seized under Customs Act,” the statement added.
In another incident, Customs officials stopped Shaik Shafi Ahamed (39) of Chennai, who had arrived from Kuwait and checked his baggage. During the search, the officials found 10 gold hairs coated with copper concealed by fixing within hair clips. The 148 grams of gold strips are of 24 karat purity and valued at Rs 4.5 lakh. The smuggled gold was seized from the passenger.
