Two arrested for smuggling Saudi currency worth Rs. 1.5 crore at RGIA

Hyderabad: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials of Hyderabad zone, on Monday, caught two passengers who were bound to Dubai from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA). 3,50,000 Saudi Arabian Riyals equivalent to Rs. 74.37 lakh were seized from them.

Both the passengers have scheduled their journey to Dubai by Indigo flight 6E 26 scheduled to depart at 2: 50 pm and Air India flight AI 951, scheduled to depart at 8:10 pm, respectively, on Monday.

DRI officers based on specific intelligence said in an official statement “Examination of their checked-in luggage revealed that foreign currency was deftly concealed in false bottoms created in sweet boxes, Osmania biscuit boxes, and also in the bags. Each passenger was attempting to smuggle 3,50,000 Saudi Arabian Riyals, equivalent to Rs 74,37,500. The passengers on interrogation said that the said currency was obtained from unauthorized dealers.”

The passengers knew that they were smuggling money, and packed the currency in the bags with their concern.

In a video, DRI officials opened the Osmania biscuit boxes with pseudo space created at the bottom where the money was packed. The DRI seized the money in other sweet boxes and bags also.

“As the said foreign currency was obtained from unauthorized dealers/persons in violation of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999 and regulations made there under and was attempted to be exported illegally in contravention of the prohibition imposed under Customs Act 1962,” said additional director general, DRI, Hyderabad in an official statement.