DRI busts Foreign Currency Smuggling Racket worth Rs. 1.42 Crores

At CSI Airport in Mumbai, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) confiscated foreign currency worth Rs. 1.42 crores in Indian rupees. A pax was apprehended by the DRI while attempting to smuggle foreign cash out of India.

Officers of the DRI Mumbai Zonal Unit detained a passenger, Sh. Karan Singh, who had arrived at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai, on Indigo Flight No. 6E 5362 from Jodhpur and was scheduled to board Dubai Flight 6E 61 on 03.12.2021.

White coloured envelopes were discovered hidden inside the clothing during the investigation of the pax’s luggage. Foreign currencies of various denominations were discovered when the envelopes were opened. The following are the specifics of the foreign currency that were recovered:-

Under the terms of the Customs Act, 1962, a total of Rs.1,42,75,018/- was confiscated in the form of 1,32,000/- USD, 42,150/- EURO, 29,500/- Saudi Arabian Rial, and 6,00,000/- Japanese Yen.

Shri Karan Singh was apprehended on December 4, 2021. He was arraigned in front of the Hon’ble CMM, Esplande, and remanded in judicial custody.

During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that one Lekhraj Mewara had given the luggage to Karan Singh. On.05.12.2021, Lekhraj was apprehended and sentenced to judicial custody by the Hon’ble CMM Court.

This is the second attempted smuggling of foreign currency at CSI Airport in Mumbai in less than a week, both of which were prevented by prompt action by DRI personnel. DRI has already detained four people in connection with a $5 million USD seizure at CSI Airport in Mumbai on November 26, 2021.