The zonal unit of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle foreign currency – Qatari and Omani riyals, US dollars, UAE dirhams, Kuwait dinars valued nearly at ₹ 27 lakh in Indian currency — by a passenger at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Shamshabad here on Wednesday.
The passenger completed immigration, security checking and was about to board a Sharjah-bound Indigo flight when the DRI officials checked his baggage. The passenger stated that the said currency was acquired from unauthorised dealers and does not belong to him. “He claimed it was being carried on the behest of someone for delivery in Sharjah,” an official press release said. He was taken into custody for further investigation.
In another case, the DRI officials seized 1.4 kg of foreign-origin gold from a passenger who arrived at RGIA, on Etihad aircraft EY-274 from Abu Dhabi, on Wednesday morning.
Acting on a tip-off, the official intercepted the passenger who was in possession of gold bars. “We got information that the said passenger, after getting down from the aircraft, would hand over the gold to one of the airline employees before reaching the customs area. He entered the toilet at the arrival immigration hall,” the officials said.
A person wearing the identity card of Air India-SATS, entered the toilet and received the smuggled gold from the passenger. “On examination, 12 gold bars with a total weight of 13.99 kg valued at ₹ 44.60 lakh was seized from their possession,” the official said.
On being questioned by the DRI Officials, the accomplice informed that he was working for Air India SATS and designated by them to assist Thai Airways.
Further investigation is in progress.
