Ahmedabad Airport Seizes Rs 42 Lakh in Foreign Currency from Bangkok-Bound Passenger
Customs officials at Ahmedabad airport made a significant seizure on January 13. They detained a man who was travelling to Bangkok. The officials recovered a large amount of undeclared foreign currency from his baggage.
Intelligence-Led Interception
The Air Intelligence Unit of the customs department acted on specific intelligence. They intercepted the passenger based on this information. This operation highlights the proactive measures taken by authorities to curb smuggling activities.
This incident represents the third major seizure by customs officials within just two days. Earlier, two other passengers faced similar actions for attempting to smuggle foreign currency.
Details of the Seized Currency
Upon examination, officials discovered concealed currency in the passenger's baggage. The seizure included:
- 100 US dollar notes valued at Rs 8.91 lakh.
- 214 British pound notes of 50 denomination valued at Rs 12.73 lakh.
- 858 British pound notes of 20 denomination valued at Rs 20.42 lakh.
In total, authorities seized 1,172 foreign currency notes. The combined value amounts to Rs 42.06 lakh. The customs department released this information in an official statement.
Legal Violations and Investigation
Sources indicate that the passenger did not declare the currency before customs authorities. This omission constitutes a clear violation of the Customs Act and the Foreign Exchange Management Act.
Officials seized the currency under the provisions of the Customs Act. A further investigation is currently underway to determine the full extent of the violation and any potential connections.
This case underscores the ongoing efforts by customs to monitor and prevent illegal currency movements. It serves as a reminder for travellers to comply with all declaration requirements to avoid legal consequences.
