Pune Customs officials intercepted over $400,000 (approximately Rs 3.47 crore) being smuggled from India to Dubai, concealed between the pages of notebooks carried by three female students. The authorities suspect a hawala racket and have arrested a Pune-based travel agent linked to the case, reported Indian Express.
Smuggling Attempt Foiled
Acting on specific intelligence, Pune Customs officers flagged the three students, all in their early twenties, upon their return from Dubai. The students had initially managed to leave India but were sent back by Dubai authorities following a request from Indian agencies. Upon their arrival at Pune Airport on February 17, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) conducted a thorough search, uncovering $400,100 hidden between pages of multiple notebooks inside their bags.
Travel Agent, Forex Trader Under Scrutiny
During questioning, the students, who are pursuing postgraduate studies, admitted that their travel was arranged by a Pune-based agent, Khushboo Agarwal. They further revealed that Agarwal had provided them with the bags containing the concealed foreign currency. Officials are now investigating links between Agarwal and a Mumbai-based forex trader suspected to be involved in the operation.
Ongoing Investigation
Customs officials are probing whether this was an organized smuggling network and are examining links to illegal hawala transactions. Further action is expected as authorities continue interrogating the suspects and analyzing their financial transactions.