Chad national caught with USD 145,000 during Mumbai Airport security check

The value of the seized foreign currency is estimated at around Rs 1.39 crore. Representational Pic

A man from Chad, a Central African country, was apprehended by personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at Mumbai Airport after foreign currency worth approximately Rs 1.39 crore was recovered from his baggage, officials said on Thursday, reported PTI.

The incident took place around midnight when the passenger was undergoing security screening at Terminal 2 of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), officials said.

USD 145,000 recovered from baggage

According to PTI, the passenger was scheduled to travel to N'Djamena, the capital of Chad, via Addis Ababa on an Ethiopian Airlines flight.

During the security check, CISF personnel recovered USD 145,000 from his baggage. The value of the seized foreign currency is estimated at around Rs 1.39 crore.

Following the seizure, the passenger was handed over to Customs authorities for further investigation into the matter, officials added.

Mumbai Customs seize 2.2 kg gold worth over Rs 3 crore at airport, two held

In a separate incident in May, Mumbai Customs seized 2.2 kg of gold worth over Rs 3 crore in separate smuggling cases at the city airport and arrested two passengers in connection with the case.

The passengers had arrived at Mumbai airport from Dubai, it said.

The seizures were made by officers of the Airport Commissionerate, Mumbai Customs Zone III, during operations carried out between May 9 and May 10.

Customs officers intercepted a passenger arriving from Dubai on a flight after profiling through the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS), an official statement said.

During a detailed search, officials recovered four pouches containing 24-carat gold dust mixed in wax. The gold had a gross weight of 1,063 grams and a net weight of 1,020 grams, with an estimated value of Rs 1.41 crore.

Officials said the passenger had cleverly concealed the gold paste inside a packet of cigarettes. The accused was arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, and further investigation is underway.

Customs officials said that while concerns over geopolitical instability may influence financial decisions, attempting to bypass the law can lead to severe legal consequences, including imprisonment and confiscation of assets.

(With PTI inputs)