Foreign currency worth Rs 25.82 lakh seized at MIA

Officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Mangaluru have arrested one person and seized foreign currency worth Rs 25.82 lakh from his possession. Acting on a tip-off, the officers apprehended Sirajuddin Pallikke Kunhali while he was about to board the Air India Express flight IX 813 bound to Dubai on Thursday.

Sirajuddin, aged 39 years, is a native of Kasargod and resides in Mangaluru. Sirajuddin was picked up by the officers after he had completed all check-in and Immigration formalities. The officers found some foreign currency notes concealed inside his socks and on further examination of his baggage, more notes were found concealed inside the hollow tubular parts of the handles in rolled bundles and some more currency notes spread under the false bottom of the said bag. Assorted foreign currencies comprising US Dollars, Swiss Franc, Euros and Kuwait Dinars adding upto 25,82,686 in terms of their value in Indian rupees were recovered from Sirajuddin and seized under provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 read with FEMA Rules and RBI guidelines issued in this regard.

Upon interrogation, Sirajuddin admitted to have been in the possession of foreign currency to earn a quick buck. He has been arrested and produced before the Principal Civil judge (senior Division) and Chief Judicial Magistrate, Mangaluru. The Directorate is hopeful of getting some breakthrough regarding unauthorised currency dealers and hawala operators in the course of further investigation.

DH News Service