2 found in possession of Rs 1.4 crore at airport

Mumbai: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) intercepted two persons carrying Rs 1.48 crore in foreign currency at Mumbai airport on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday. The seized currency includes USD, Omani and Qatari Riyals, and Kuwaiti and Bahrain Dinars. The duo has been handed over to customs officials for further investigation.

The apprehended duo was identified as Mohammad Bendichal and Abdul Rahiman Bendichal. At around 12.10am during pre-embarkation security check (PESC) through the X-BIS machine inside terminal 2, they were found in possession of the foreign currencies.

The checks were being conducted by CISF sub-inspector Vijay Kumar when he noticed an image resembling wads of currency notes inside one of the bags. The said bag was then taken for thorough manual checking. The CISF officials found USD 1.94 lakh, 2290 Omani Riyal, 3100 Qatari Riyal, 750 Kuwaiti Dinars and 310 Bahrain Dinars.

Mohammad Bendichal, an Indian national, was on his way to Sharjah when apprehended. Upon interrogation, he said that another passenger, identified as Abdul Rahiman Bendichal, gave the bag stashed with foreign currency to him. The alleged exchange took place in the check-in area and the second person was also taking the same flight.

Abdul Rahiman Bendichal was later located at another boarding gate by CISF surveillance, and apprehended. He was tracked down via CCTV camera footage covering terminal 2, CISF officials said.

The duo was handed over to customs along with the seized foreign currency by the CISF for further investigation. The officials are now probing the source of the currency that was supposedly being smuggled outside the country and further links of the arrested duo.