Customs officials at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport seized US $40,000 (around ₹35.10 lakh) from a Dubai-bound passenger on Sunday after CISF personnel flagged suspicious behaviour during security checks.
The passenger, intercepted while preparing to board flight SG-15 on November 16, was found carrying two concealed envelopes inside his hand baggage. Each contained bundles of undeclared US currency totalling $40,000.
Officials said the seizure violates the Customs Act, 1962, and FEMA rules governing the export of foreign currency. The passenger could not produce any declaration or supporting documents.
The cash was seized, and the traveller is being questioned to determine the source of the money and its intended use. Investigators are also probing possible links to hawala or other illegal foreign exchange networks. The passenger’s identity has been withheld pending the inquiry.