The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized foreign currency and diamonds worth nearly ₹3 crore at Mumbai Airport in a major crackdown. A total of six people, including a hawala operator, have been arrested in connection with the case. Officials said the operation was carried out based on specific intelligence inputs.
Acting on the information, the DRI team intensified surveillance at the airport and intercepted four passengers who were preparing to board an international flight.
During a detailed inspection of the passengers’ luggage and handbags, officials made a shocking discovery. The bags contained specially created fake cavities and hidden compartments in which foreign currency and diamonds had been concealed.
During the search, authorities recovered Pound Sterling and US Dollars in various denominations. The total value of the seized foreign currency is estimated to be around ₹1.93 crore. Officials said the accused were attempting to smuggle the large amount of foreign currency abroad by concealing it inside the bags.
Apart from the foreign currency, officials also recovered 53 small pouches from the bags. On examination, the pouches were found to contain diamonds. The value of the seized diamonds has been estimated at around ₹1.10 crore. Officials said the diamonds were packed in multiple small pouches to avoid suspicion during security checks.
During interrogation, the passengers were asked to produce documents related to the foreign currency and diamonds. However, they failed to provide any valid permission or supporting documents. Moreover, the items had not been declared to the Customs Department as required.
According to regulations, carrying such large amounts of foreign currency and precious items abroad requires proper authorization and mandatory declaration.
As the investigation progressed, the DRI also apprehended the hawala operator and another individual who had allegedly supplied the foreign currency to the passengers. Officials said a total of six people have been arrested under the Customs Act, 1962.
The investigation agency is now trying to determine whether a larger smuggling network is involved in the case.