Customs department seizes smuggled foreign currency worth $156,119 at airport
by Ekta ChaubeyAn Indian man was intercepted at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport while attempting to smuggle foreign currency worth ₹1.35 crore (156,119.60 USD).
The incident took place at Indira Gandhi International Airport of South West Delhi district in New Delhi, northern India, on January 18.
Visuals show foreign currencies hidden beneath the plastic lining of a bag intercepted by Customs officers.
According to reports, Customs officials at IGI Airport have registered a case of smuggling involving a 26-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh. The passenger was set to depart from Terminal 2, IGI Airport, New Delhi, on flight 6E-2768 to Hyderabad and then continue to Ras Al Khaimah on flight 6E-1495 the same day.
Acting on a tip-off, Customs officers stopped the man and examined his baggage. During the search, they discovered foreign currency hidden inside the lining of a black trolley bag. The seized cash included USD 20,000, Saudi Riyal 5,25,500, and Qatari Riyal 1,000.
The total value of the recovered currency was ₹1.35 crore (Rupees One Crore Thirty-Five Lakh). The passenger confessed to attempting to smuggle the money out of the country.
The foreign currency was confiscated under Section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962, as it was deemed liable for seizure under Section 113 of the same act and the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999.
The individual was arrested under Section 104 of the Customs Act, 1962, and an investigation into the case is ongoing.