You don’t have any Active Subscription.
Subscribed with another email? Logout and Login with that one.
Your active subscription(s)
Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription
Products you've access to
Additional Subscription Benefits
Need help with your subscription?
Updated - October 24, 2026 10:21 am IST - HYDERABAD
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized foreign currency worth approximately ₹1.56 crore from two passengers at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad after intercepting them while they were preparing to fly to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Thursday (October 22, 2026).
Acting on specific intelligence, DRI Hyderabad Zonal Unit officers intercepted a male Indian passenger scheduled to travel to Kuala Lumpur on AirAsia flight AK-68. During a search of his cabin baggage, officials recovered $66,600, MYR 3,773 and SGD 2, collectively valued at approximately ₹63.62 lakh.
The currency was allegedly concealed inside a black plastic cover placed among clothes in his trolley bag. During preliminary questioning, the passenger reportedly disclosed that a female passenger was also travelling on the same flight, although under a different PNR.
DRI officers subsequently placed the woman under surveillance and intercepted her before departure. A search of her cabin baggage led to the recovery of $97,600, valued at approximately ₹91.94 lakh. The currency was similarly concealed inside a black plastic cover among clothes in her trolley bag.
According to the DRI, neither passenger could produce documents supporting the lawful procurement and carriage of the foreign currency.
The agency seized the entire foreign currency, comprising $1,64,200, MYR 3,773 and SGD 2, along with the trolley bags allegedly used for concealment. The total value of the seized currency was estimated at ₹1.56 crore.
Both passengers were arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. Further investigation is underway.
Published - October 24, 2026 10:20 am IST
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.
We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.
