Ahmedabad Customs nabs couple with ₹17 lakh in foreign currency bound for Abu Dhabi

In a well-orchestrated late-night operation, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Ahmedabad Customs thwarted an attempt by a husband-wife duo to smuggle foreign currency above ₹17 lakh out of the country. The couple was intercepted on Tuesday night as they prepared to board Akasa Air flight QP580 to Abu Dhabi.

Acting on specific intelligence, Customs officers stopped the couple between 11 pm and 11.30 pm for detailed examination. The flight was due to depart at 11.20 pm from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

A thorough search of the male passenger’s belongings revealed $10,000 wrapped in paper across three bundles, along with an additional $446 in loose notes, and 1,200 Turkish Lira. Likewise, the female passenger was found carrying $10,000, which was similarly bundled in paper hidden in her backpack.

Altogether, the seized amount comprised $20,446 and 1,200 TRY, with an estimated value of ₹17 lakh. As the couple lacked the requisite authorisation to carry these sums abroad, all currency was confiscated under relevant provisions of the Customs Act.

Customs officials confirmed that investigations are ongoing to trace the source of the currency and ascertain whether the couple was part of a broader smuggling syndicate. 

This incident joins a series of recent seizures at Ahmedabad Airport, including gold worth ₹78 lakh smuggled in socks on August 9 and gold valued at ₹2.80 crore found hidden in clothing earlier this year. 

The Customs department has intensified passenger profiling and targeted checks on flights originating from high-risk destinations such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. 

As per sources, the couple is currently in custody and under questioning. Customs officials are examining the possibility of links to larger smuggling networks and are verifying the chain of custody of the seized funds.