The Mumbai Customs, Zone-III, conducted successful operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMI) on Saturday. The Mumbai Customs team intercepted foreign currency worth over Rs 1 crore in two separate cases. As per officers, the seizures were made based on profiling by the vigilant customs officers, who foiled attempts to illegally carry large sums of money abroad.
In the first case, a passenger travelling to Abu Dhabi on flight 6E 1413 was stopped for baggage examination. Soon after he was stopped, the officers discovered foreign currency of Rs 53.68 lakh hidden inside the passenger’s handbag. Following the seizure, the individual was arrested under the Customs Act, 1962, by the authorities concerned.
In the second case, a passenger bound for Fujairah in United Arab Emirates (UAE) on flight 6E 1501 was intercepted by the customs. Soon after the authorities got hold of the other accused, they seized foreign currency valued at Rs 53.68 lakh from the handbag. The passenger was also taken into custody under the provisions of the Customs Act.
Mumbai Customs officials further emphasised that both seizures were a result of profiling and proactive vigilance, highlighting the importance of monitoring international passenger traffic to prevent illegal export of foreign currency.
