Kolkata, 10 November (H.S.) : In a major operation, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has seized cash worth Rs 3.51 crore and arrested seven passengers bound for Bangkok. Officials provided this information on Tuesday.

Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers intercepted the seven passengers at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in the early hours of November 6, just as they were about to board their flight to Bangkok.

The investigating agency stated that a physical search of the passengers and an examination of their handbags and checked in baggage led to the recovery of US dollars and British pounds valued at Rs 3.12 crore.

It is alleged that the foreign currency was concealed using highly deceptive methods. This included secret compartments built into trolley bags and notebooks, as well as the pockets of clothes and shoes packed in the checked in luggage. The DRI revealed that some of the foreign currency was hidden deep inside both the checked in and hand baggage.

The accused passengers reportedly failed to produce any documents establishing lawful ownership or possession of the foreign currency. Subsequently, all seven passengers were arrested and a case was registered against them for attempting to smuggle foreign currency out of India in violation of the Customs Act and the Foreign Exchange Management Act regulations.

In a separate action, DRI officers recovered foreign currency equivalent to Rs 39 lakh from the baggage of other passengers. They have been handed over to customs officials for further legal action.

The DRI stated that this operation was part of its intelligence based efforts to dismantle organized networks facilitating the illicit outflow of foreign currency and to safeguard the economic and financial interests of India.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh