By Team Mangalorean

Mangalore July 16, 2009: The officers of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence [DRI], Mangalore, based on credible intelligence, intercepted a passenger who attempted to travel by Air India Express Flight IX 811 from Bajpe International Airport, Mangalore to Dubai on the night of Wednesday, July 15, 2009.

The passenger who was held has been identified as Aslam T M of Kasargod.

Other security agencies working in the Airport also associated in the interception of the passenger. Upon examination, his checked-in baggage found to contain Indian currency notes of Rs.500=00 and Rs.1,000=00 denominations totaling Rs.9,00,500=00 cleverly concealed in packets of fancy/embroidery items. The officers of DRI have registered an offence case. Further investigation is under progress.

This is the 3rd seizure of smuggling out of Indian currency made by the DRI Zonal Unit of Bangalore in the last 3 months.

Further, on the basis of credible intelligence, the officers of DRI, Mangalore intercepted a passenger by name Anwar K M also of Kasargod who arrived by Air India Express Flight IX 812 from Dubai to Bajpe International Airport, Mangalore on the early morning of Thursday, July 16, 2009. Upon examination, his checked in baggage found to contain Saffron of Iranian Origin weighing 10 kilograms concealed in a card board carton box.

The market value of the saffron seized is estimated at Rs.20 lakhs. The officers of DRI have registered an offence case. Further investigation is under progress. This is the first major seizure of smuggling in of Iranian Saffron at Mangalore Airport.