DRI seizes foreign currency and gold at Hyderabad Airport
In two different cases, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized assorted foreign currency worth about Rs.27 lakh and 1.4 kilos of smuggled gold worth Rs.44.60 lakh at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Shamshabad in the early hours of Wednesday.
Based on specific intelligence, officers of the DRI Hyderabad Zonal Unit intercepted a passenger at the airport, who, after having cleared immigration and security checks was about to board an Indigo flight to Sharjah.
n examination of his baggage, assorted foreign currency in the form of Qatar Riyals, Kuwait Dinars, Bahrain Dinars, UAE Dirhams, Saudi Riyals, Omani Riyals and US Dollars of various denominations were found.
The passenger on interrogation stated that the said currency was obtained from unauthorized dealers and that they did not belong to him. He stated that it was being carried on the behest of ’someone’ for delivery in Sharjah.
As the said currency was obtained from unauthorized dealers/persons in violation of FEMA, 1999 and was attempted to be exported illegally, in contravention of the prohibition imposed under Customs Act 1962 and FEMA, the currency, equivalent to Rs.27.23 lakh in Indian rupees, was seized.
The passenger has been arrested. Further investigation in the case is in progress.
In the second case, the DRI officers intercepted a passenger coming from Abu Dhabi to Hyderabad on an Etihad flight at the airport at about 3.30 am
Intelligence inputs indicated that the passenger was in possession of gold bars of foreign origin and would be handing over the same to one of the airline employees before reaching the Customs area.
After getting down from the aircraft, the passenger entered the toilet in the arrival immigration hall. A person wearing the identity card of Air India – SATS entered the toilet section and received the smuggled gold from the passenger.
On examination, 12 gold bars with a total weight of 1399.200 grams were found ,valued at Rs 44.60 lakh in possession of the person.
On being questioned by the officers, the person working for Air India – SATS informed that he was working for Air India SATS and designated by them to assist Thai Airways.
The passenger attempting to smuggle the gold in to the country and the receiver who assisted in the gold smuggling were both arrested. The smuggled gold has been seized under Customs Act, 1962. Further investigation is in progress.
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