Two bus passengers arrested with Rs 42 lakh

Two passengers of a private bus were arrested for carrying cash to the tune of Rs 42 lakh, suspected to be for distribution through hawala channels, near Mattanur in Kannur district today, police said.

They were travelling from Bangalore to Thalasseri, police said, adding, the money was seized.

On a tip off, a team of police officials led by Sub-Inspector Rajeeve Kumar, searched the baggage of Vishal Natha Sawant and Deepak Govek, both hailing from Sangli district of Maharashtra.

They found the currency in the denominations of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 concealed insides their baggage.

The cash has been handed over to Enforcement Department, police said.