Dubai-bound passenger held at Delhi airport for smuggling forex

A Dubai-bound passenger was arrested by Customs officials at the Delhi airport for allegedly trying to smuggle out foreign currency worth Rs 2.94 crore, the Customs department said today.

The accused was intercepted when he was completing formalities to travel to Dubai on Tuesday.

Both the passenger and his accomplice, a travel agent, have been arrested.

Officials became suspicious when they questioned the passenger about the purpose of his visit and the contents of the baggage, a statement issued by the Customs.

"Detailed personal and examination of baggage of the passenger resulted in the recovery of foreign currency amounting to USD 4,40,000, which he was attempting to smuggle out of the country illegally," it said.

The foreign currency seized is equivalent to Rs 2.94 crore, it said.

The currency was concealed by the passenger between layers of 14 sarees in his checked-in baggage, the statement said.

The passenger said the bag along with his air ticket to Dubai was handed over to him by a travel agent in Delhi, according to the statement.

The passenger also admitted that he had carried a bag containing foreign currency during his last three visits to Dubai. The bags were handed to him along with his air tickets to Dubai by the same travel agent.

However, the quantum of foreign currency carried by him was never disclosed by the travel agent, the Customs department said.