Ministry of Finance
DRI foils attempt to smuggle foreign
currency out of India at Kolkata Airport;
Foreign currency equivalent to Rs. 3.5
crore seized and seven arrested
Posted On: 10 NOV 2026 3:17PM by PIB Delhi
In a major strike against the cross-border smuggling of foreign currency, the Directorate of
Revenue Intelligence (DRI), intercepted several passengers going abroad at Netaji...
Ministry of Finance DRI foils attempt to smuggle foreign currency out of India at Kolkata Airport;
Foreign currency equivalent to Rs. 3.5 crore seized and seven arrested
Posted On: 10 NOV 2026 3:17PM by PIB Delhi In a major strike against the cross-border smuggling of foreign currency, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), intercepted several passengers going abroad at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) Airport, Kolkata, who were attempting to carry foreign currency out of the country.
Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers intercepted 7 passengers in the early hours of
06.11.2026 on their journey to Bangkok. A thorough personal search of the passengers, including their hand baggage and checked-in baggage, led to the recovery and seizure of assorted foreign currency in USD, GBP collectively valued at valued at Rs. 3.12 crore.
The syndicate carriers used a sophisticated modus operandi and the currency was ingeniously concealed inside notebooks, in two-layered hidden compartments in trolley bags and in shoes. Some of it was hidden in the pockets of clothes packed in checked-in baggage, and in other cases deep inside both checked-in and hand baggage. On enquiry, the passengers could not produce any documents to establish ownership or lawful possession of the currency.In total 7 members of the syndicate were arrested and charged with smuggling out the foreign currency in contravention of Customs Act read with FEMA Regulations.
In addition, few other passengers were also intercepted and search of their baggage led to recovery of foreign currency equivalent to Rs. 0.39 crore. The passengers were handed to Customs formation for further proceedings.
DRI remains determined to dismantle organised networks that facilitate the illicit outflow of foreign currency and undermine the countryโs economic and fiscal stability. Through sustained, intelligence-led enforcement, DRI continues to safeguard Indiaโs economic frontiers.
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