KOCHI: The Customs Department on Friday seized assorted foreign currencies worth around Rs 38 lakh from two passengers at the Nedumbassery airport here.
Hassanar Mohammed and Moidu Asharaf, both natives of Kodagu in Karnataka, were arrested in connection with the incident. They were scheduled to fly to Dubai by an Emirates flight.
According to the Customs Superintend, the currencies, including UAE Dirham and Qatar Dinar, were seized during a routine X-Ray screening of baggage.
Mohammed and Ashraf had concealed foreign currencies worth Rs 22.5 lakh and Rs 16 lakh, respectively, in their baggage. Sources in the Customs Department said the arrested persons were suspected to be acting as carriers for some currency racket. According to them, currencies smuggled out of the country could be used for smuggling of gold and other contraband and under-valuation of imports/over-valuation of exports for availing tax benefits. “A case has been registered in connection with Friday’s incident under the Customs Act, and a detailed investigation is underway. It is likely that provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act would be invoked against the arrested,” said the sources.
The Air Intelligence Unit of the Customs Department seized gold worth Rs 17 lakh from a Sri Lankan native at the Nedumbassery airport on Thursday night.
Mohammed Jeffrin, 32, who arrived from Kuala Lumpur by Air Asia flight AK-037, was intercepted near the arrival hall while trying to exit through the Green Channel.
Jeffrin was subjected to personal inspection after he told Customs officials that he was not carrying any contraband.
During the inspection, six 24-carat gold bars of 100 gm each and another bar of 42 gm were found concealed inside his socks.
The Department has launched an investigation into the matter.
“Last week, the Customs Intelligence Unit had made three back-to-back gold seizures from international passengers. Bimal Pereira, another Sri Lanka native, was arrested for smuggling 3.7 kg gold.
In another operation, 800 gm of gold valued Rs 21 lakh was recovered from a passenger who had arrived by a Malindo Air flight from Singapore. Later, 2 kg of gold worth Rs 53 lakh was seized from a passenger who had arrived from Dubai by an Emirates flight,” said the officials.
