Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Jun 27: The customs officials at Mangalore International Airport on Thursday June 26 arrested two persons and seized from them foreign currency notes of different countries which they were allegedly trying to smuggle out of the country.
Mohammedaly Abdullah Rahiman from Pallikere, Periya in Kasargod had 18,000 dirhams worth Rs 2.95 lac with him while Abdullah Kundor from the same place was carrying 19,000 Saudi rials worth Rs 3.05 lac.
Muhammedaly was to leave for Sharjah by Jet Airways flight on June 25, while Kundor was scheduled to board Sharjah flight of Air India Express on June 26.
On June 25, Nassir Kappil Abdullah, Abdullah Kunhi, Abdul Gabbar and Khalid Hasainar from Uduma and Hidyatnagar in the district were arrested, and 10,000 US dollars worth Rs 6.01 lac, 1,950 Oman rials worth Rs 3.05 lac, and 1,450 Kuwaiti dinars worth Rs 3.10 lac were confiscated. These four were about to board Air India Express flight to Sharjah on Wednesday.
All the six arrested (in both cases) belong to Kasargod district. All of them were to board flights to Sharjah, and currency notes were found from their hand baggages.
The value of currency notes seized in these two cases has been estimated at Rs 18.15 lac, made up of 18,000 dirhams, 19,000 saudi rials, 10,000 US dollars, 1,950 Oman rials, and 1,450 dinars.
The foreign currency was reportedly being transported to Gulf regions for making payment for gold smuggled into the country.
The operation was led by airport customs assistant commissioner, Praveen Vinod, duly assisted by superintendents, Markus Pereira, R S Vebnkatram, R G Gaonkar, Sriram Nelli and several inspectors.