Foreign currencies worth over Rs 9 crore seized at IGI Airport in six months

New Delhi: During April-September of this year, customs officials at Indira Gandhi International airport (IGIA) have seized foreign currencies worth over Rs 9 crore. According to investigators, these currencies mostly were to be used for purchasing gold from other countries. As many as nine people including foreign nationals were arrested.

The customs data accessed by Millennium Post revealed that during the aforementioned period, over 12 cases were reported in which five Indians and four foreigners were arrested for carrying a huge amount of foreign currencies. According to the Customs (Baggage Rules), a passenger must undertake a declaration from customs if he or she is carrying foreign currencies worth more than $5000 or the equivalent.

During the same period last year, 39 cases were registered, under which 23 Indians and two foreign nationals were arrested and foreign currencies worth Rs 14.13 crore were seized by customs officials. These seized foreign currencies mainly include Dollar, Euro, and Dirham.

According to customs officials, people from the economically weak background are used for the transportation of the foreign currency. "They are mostly aware about the money they are carrying. They get a commission for the illegal work," said an official.

The official further said, "Investigation also revealed that sometime only one carrier is used for all the illegal purposes. For example, the same person will travel to another country with the currency and later, fly back to India with gold which was bought with currency. There is another possibility that the carrier is only used to deliver money to another person in a foreign country who will carry it further."

"These carriers travel to various countries, including, Gulf, Bangkok, and Hong Kong, from where gold is being smuggled into India and the foreign money is being sent out," said an official.

Deputy Commissioner of Customs Kalrav Mishra said, "Illegal export of foreign currency is resulting in smuggling of gold and other contraband. Curbing the smuggling of foreign currency is a high priority area for us."

In June, customs arrested two persons who intended to depart Bangkok. From their personal and baggage search foreign currency equivalent to Rs 60.52 lakhs concealed in handbag and waist pouch were recovered. Another case reported in August where customs nabbed a passenger with foreign currency worth more than Rs 42 lakh.