Air Intelligence Unit of the Customs in Kochi international airport has seized foreign currencies equivalent to Rs 56 lakh from a passenger, who tried to smuggle the currencies to Sharjah by an Air India Express Flight.
Customs officials said the personnel of Air Intelligence Unit late last night effected the seizure of Saudi Riyals 3,12,000, USD 4150 and UAE Dirham 2090 equivalent to Rs 55,67,991 from the passenger, a native of Kannur, while he tried to smuggle the foreign currency.
The AIU officers have been regularly maintaining surveillances at the departure hall over the passengers bound for places like Dubai, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
"At around 10 PM, after clearing the checked-in and immigration formalities, one passenger was intercepted by Customs Air Intelligence officer on suspicion that he was carrying some contraband goods. A detailed examination of his wallet, hand baggage and checked-in-baggage resulted in the recovery of foreign currency equivalent to Rs 55,67,991," a release issued by the AIU said.
Officials said all the bundles of currencies in the checked-in-baggage were cleverly concealed inside his pants pockets kept along with other used clothes and food items.
The passenger was detained by Customs Air Intelligence officers, it said.
