Based on intelligence thatcurrency was likely to be smuggled out of India by passengers bound for Dubai by Indigo flight 6E 65, air intelligence officers maintained strict vigil at departure terminal to intercept them. Six passengers Mansoor Ali Khan, 27, Yakalik,68, Thameem Ansari,49,Mohamad Hussain,30,and Yousuf,67, allof Chennaiand Abdul Rahman,38, of Pudur, were intercepted after they had cleared Immigration and were proceeding towards security hold area. Their personal search as well as search of their hand baggage/back packs was also carried out. On examination of their backpacksmany  power banks were found hidden inside. The power banks appeared to be heavy and were broken by a hammer and foreign currency notes were recovered which were concealed inside. Foreign currency was also recovered from the pockets of their  backpacks.74000 USD in 100 denominationsworth  Rs.53.5lakhs, 150000 Saudi Riyals in 500 denomination worth Rs.28.3 lakhs, and 25000 Euros in denomination of 200 worth Rs.22.2 lakhs,totally equivalent to Rs 1.04 Crore were recovered and seized under Customs Act read with Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of currency) Regulations, 2015. One Thameem Ansari whose individual seizure value crossed Rs. 20 lakhs was arrested.

Further investigation is under process, according to a press release issued by the Commissioner of Customs Chennai International Airport.

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