Anand Mahindra reacts to viral video of smuggling cash in ‘gutka’ sachets with an advice

The incident pertains to the recovery of $ 40,000 valued over ₹ 32 lakh - concealed inside hundreds of sealed 'pan masala' pouches- by the Kolkata Customs officials on Monday.

Businessman Anand Mahindra, known for his social media presence, reacted to the video of the foiled smuggling bid involving ‘pan masala’ sachets and cash worth $40,000 at the Kolkata airport that recently went viral. As much as Mahindra appreciated the creativity of the accused, he wished the man had used it for a “law-abiding” purpose.

Industrialist Anand Mahindra. (HT photo)

“No shortage of innovative thinking and ‘manufacturing’ in India. I just wish this gentleman had applied his creativity to more productive-and law-abiding-goals!” Mahindra tweeted on Tuesday, quoting the video.

The incident pertains to the recovery of $ 40,000 valued over ₹ 32 lakh - concealed inside hundreds of sealed 'pan masala' pouches. A video of the Customs officials at the Kolkata airport tearing the sachets with $10 bills sealed with transparent plastic, along with what appeared to be 'pan masala' powder inside, surfaced on social media on Monday.

The accused passenger was attempting to fly to Bangkok in Thailand with the money but was intercepted by the officials in time. “AIU officials of Kolkata Customs intercepted a passenger scheduled to depart to Bangkok yesterday. A search of his checked-in baggage resulted in the recovery of US $40O00 (worth over ₹32 lakh) concealed inside Gutkha pouches", the Kolkata Customs Department had tweeted sharing the information.