{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "DRI intercepts two passengers at Hyderabad airport with foreign currency worth Rs 1.56 crore",
  "summary": "The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence intercepted two passengers bound for Malaysia at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport and seized foreign currency worth approximately Rs 1.56 crore hidden inside black plastic covers.",
  "content": "In a major interception at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) apprehended two individuals who were preparing to board a flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Authorities recovered foreign exchange valued at approximately Rs 1.56 crore from their possession. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the Hyderabad zonal unit of the DRI executed the operation targeting passengers scheduled to travel on an AirAsia flight.\n\n \n\nForeign currency concealed inside clothing\n Officials stated that upon searching the cabin baggage of the male passenger, they discovered foreign currency hidden inside a black plastic cover nestled between clothes in his trolley bag. The recovered cash included 66,600 US dollars, 3,773 Malaysian ringgit, and 2 Singapore dollars, amounting to roughly Rs 63.62 लाख in equivalent value. During initial questioning, the male passenger disclosed that a female companion traveling on the same flight was also carrying foreign currency.\n\n \n\nSecond passenger caught with US dollars\n Acting swiftly on the tip, DRI officers intercepted the female passenger as well. A thorough check of her cabin luggage yielded 97,600 US dollars, valued at approximately Rs 91.94 लाख. Similar to the first case, this foreign exchange was concealed within a black plastic wrap beneath her garments in a trolley bag. Neither of the two travelers could produce valid legal documents or authorizations to lawfully acquire and transport the foreign currency.\n\n \n\nSeizure under the Customs Act\n The DRI seized the entire foreign currency worth about Rs 1.56 crore along with the trolley bags used for concealment under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. Officials confirmed that both passengers have been placed under arrest, though their identities have not been publicly released by the agency. Investigators are currently probing the source of the foreign currency and the precise motive behind smuggling it out of the country.\n\n \n\nTiming of the operation and prior cases\n The operation was originally conducted on October 22, with details officially released on Saturday. The accused individuals intended to board AirAsia flight AK-68 bound for Kuala Lumpur. Further investigation into the network is currently underway. In a prior operation, the DRI busted a smuggling syndicate in Mumbai, seizing precious metals, cash, and valuables worth Rs 10.48 crore originating from Africa.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThis operation reflects intensified enforcement measures aimed at curbing illicit foreign exchange outflows and hawala operations through international airports.\n\n• Across India: Security agencies have heightened surveillance and random checks across international airports nationwide to clamp down on illegal smuggling networks.\n\n• In Hyderabad: Travelers departing from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport will face stricter compliance checks regarding customs regulations and legal limits on foreign currency.\n\nWhy this happened\nThe interception was executed following specific intelligence inputs received by the enforcement agency regarding illicit cash couriers operating on international flight routes.\n\n• Actionable Intelligence: The DRI Hyderabad zonal unit acted on a tip-off about foreign currency being smuggled out on a flight bound for Kuala Lumpur.\n\n• Concealment Tactics: The suspects hid the cash inside black plastic covers tucked between clothing inside their trolley bags to evade detection during screening.\n\n• Lack of Documentation: Both travelers failed to produce valid legal documents or official authorizations required to carry foreign exchange abroad.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Which agency carried out this operation?\nThe operation was executed by the Hyderabad zonal unit of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).\n\n2. Where were the passengers heading?\nBoth passengers were preparing to board an AirAsia flight bound for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.\n\n3. What was the total value of the seized foreign currency?\nForeign currency worth approximately Rs 1.56 crore was seized from the travelers.\n\n4. Where was the foreign currency concealed?\nThe cash was hidden inside black plastic covers tucked between clothing inside their trolley bags.\n\n5. Under which legal provision was the action taken?\nThe DRI seized the currency and arrested the passengers under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/crime/haidarabada-airport-para-dri-ki-bari-karravai-1-56-karora-ki-videshi-mudra-ke-satha-do-taskara-giraphtara-51288",
  "category": "Crime",
  "publishedAt": "2026-10-24",
  "tags": [
    "DRI",
    "Hyderabad Airport",
    "Foreign Currency Seizure",
    "Smuggling",
    "Kuala Lumpur",
    "Customs Act"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}