New Delhi: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has seized 163.5 kg gold worth about Rs 46 crore and Rs 39.1 crore currency notes at 20 airports since the demonetisation of high-value currency notes on November 8.
Additionally, around 60 people were detained at airports — half of them at Delhi and Mumbai airports. But the security force didn’t take any action against and allowed them to board flights, said the sources.
The maximum (37) number of incidents were reported at the Delhi airport followed by Mumbai (42) and Guwahati (39), the sources said.
Of the 20 airports, the highest cash recovery of Rs 5 crore was made at the Mumbai airport on November 19. The CISF seized Rs 6.09 crore cash, 19.5kg gold and $1,05,300, Euro 10,500 and 4,960 Afghani currency at the Delhi airport alone, while from the Mumbai airport, the forces recovered Rs 5.89 crore cash, 25.463kg gold and silver pot worth Rs 7.5lakh.
From total 20 airports across the country, the CSIF recovered Rs 39.1crore cash, 163.5kg gold, jewellery worth Rs 40lakh, and 5.5kg silver coins and silver pot worth Rs 7.5lakh.
Apart from the airports, the CISF is keeping a vigil eye on passengers at metro stations. “In a recent circular, the CISF personnel posted at all the 59 airports of the country have been asked to scan the hand baggage carefully and inform income tax officials if they find anyone carrying a large amount of cash,” said the sources.
After seizing gold, cash, jewellery, foreign currencies, etc., at airports, the CISF passes the information to the agencies concerned for further action.
