man-held-with-35-4-lakh-in-usd-at-amritsar-airport

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized unaccounted foreign currency worth ₹35.40 lakh at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport and arrested one individual in connection with the case.

 

Acting on a credible tip-off, DRI officials intercepted a passenger attempting to smuggle foreign currency out of the country. The accused passenger was scheduled to travel to Dubai on Thursday via Air India Express flight. During a thorough search of his luggage, officials recovered US $41,400 worth Rs 35.40 lakhs concealed within a bag hidden inside another checked-in baggage.

 

In an official statement released on Friday, the DRI confirmed that the seized currency was unaccounted for and exceeded the Reserve Bank of India’s permissible limit. The currency was confiscated under various provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

 

Indian nationals cannot carry more than USD 3,000 worth of foreign currency on international flights without the permission of the RBI as per rules.

 

Preliminary investigations indicate that the arrested individual was part of a larger racket involved in the illegal trafficking of foreign currency for financial gains. Further investigation is currently underway.

 

This incident marks the second major seizure at the airport this month. On May 3, the DRI had confiscated foreign currency valued at ₹2.66 crore in a similar case.