The sleuths of City Crime Investigation branch on a definite tip off took Manjunath and Vishwanath into custody, they said.
Of the recovered cash, Rs 8.5 lakhs was in denomination of new Rs 2,000 notes, Rs 1.5 lakh in Rs 100 currency notes and remaining Rs 50,000 in demonetised Rs 500 notes, they added.
The duo who claimed to be engaged in gold business said they had brought the cash meant to be handed over to a third person but failed to produce any valid documents, police said.