The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) caught a member of Jet Airways’ cabin crew — who was to depart for Hong Kong — in possession of $3,90,000 early on Thursday at Mumbai airport.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) caught a member of Jet Airways’ cabin crew — who was to depart for Hong Kong — in possession of $3,90,000 early on Thursday at Mumbai airport.
According to airport sources, Rislie Agat was caught with the money, that amounted to Rs 2,63,24,980, at the customs counter.
DRI officials were inside the airport for Agat’s interrogation till late into the evening. According to airport officials, this is the first incident of the year where an insider has been found involved in smuggling. Around 20 such incidents had occurred in 2014 and 2015.
A senior custom official, commenting on this DRI operation, told The Asian Age, “This is the first time in three years that we have seen an incident of currency smuggling for departure. Such incidents used to involve arriving crew and passengers.” Officials suspect the money was being transferred via the hawala system.
Senior DRI officials said they had received a tip off about Agat, who was booked in Jet Airways flight, 9W076, which departs from the city at 2 am.
Around 12.45 am, Agat was intercepted by the DRI when he was crossing the customs counter after immigration clearance. According to a source from the DRI, “He was intercepted at the customs counter after he had filed his declaration with customs. He did not mention any foreign currency in it.”
Later, after searching Agat, officials found the currency in his check-in baggage. The currency was concealed in five leather diary covers. According to RBI guidelines, the Foreign Exchange and Management (Export and Import of Currency) Regulations 2000 and Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, it is mandatory for passengers to declare their money. Passengers must also have a proper receipt or documents from a legal money exchange service provider.
