Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Mar 2: In one of the biggest foreign currency seizures in recent times at Mangaluru, currency equivalent to approximately Rs 80 lac was seized at Mangaluru International Airport.

Acting on specific intelligence, officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mangaluru Regional Unit, intercepted one male passenger and two female passengers upon their arrival at the departure hall. The trio was scheduled to travel to Abu Dhabi by IndiGo flight 6E 1438 on February 27.

During inspection, officials found the foreign currency ingeniously concealed in their hand baggage as well as checked-in baggage. The seized currency included a large quantity of US Dollars along with smaller amounts of Pound Sterling, Saudi Riyal and UAE Dirham.

The three passengers, who hail from Kerala, have been taken into custody under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, and were later produced before the court, which remanded them to judicial custody.

Further investigation into the smuggling case is underway to identify other members of the syndicate and the investors involved in the operation.