₹3cr foreign currency, diamonds seized at Mumbai airport, 6 held

Officials said they intercepted four passengers attempting to board international flights following specific intelligence inputs. A search of their baggage led to the recovery of US dollars and pound sterling worth ₹1.93 crore, concealed in false cavities of handbags

MUMBAI: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized foreign currency and diamonds worth about ₹3 crore on Friday from passengers at Mumbai airport and arrested six persons, including carriers and a hawala operator.

₹3cr foreign currency, diamonds seized at Mumbai airport, 6 held

Officials said they intercepted four passengers attempting to board international flights following specific intelligence inputs.

A search of their baggage led to the recovery of US dollars and pound sterling worth ₹1.93 crore, concealed in false cavities of handbags.

DRI officers also found 53 small pouches containing diamonds worth about ₹1.10 crore hidden in the luggage. The passengers had not declared the currency or diamonds to Customs and failed to produce valid documents permitting export, officials said.

In a follow-up operation, DRI officials also apprehended the hawala operator who arranged the foreign currency and the person who delivered it to the passengers.

Officials said all six accused have been arrested under relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.