The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested a Chinese national who was allegedly part of a major international “hawala” syndicate involved in smuggling of gold for the past two years. The agency claims to have seized $3 lakh from her.
Flight to Hong Kong
The woman “carrier” was intercepted in the security holding area of the Indira Gandhi International Airport here while on the way to board a flight to Hong Kong on Tuesday. The $100 and $50 bills were concealed in the false bottom of sweet boxes kept in her check-in and hand baggage, said the DRI.
During interrogation, she purportedly disclosed that she was part of an international “hawala” syndicate and had travelled to India many times in the past for the same purpose. The agency alleged that the syndicate roped in foreign nationals to evade detection, while sending foreign exchange out of India and smuggling in gold.
“A majority of carriers do not know English or Hindi, and work for them for small pecuniary gains,” said the DRI, adding that the accused is currently in judicial custody. In the last financial year, the agency seized foreign currency worth ₹34 crore and arrested 54 persons.