Hyderabad, Telangana: In a major seizure at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), Hyderabad, officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) have seized foreign currency worth approximately ₹1.56 crore from two Indian passengers travelling to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Both passengers were arrested after allegedly failing to produce documents supporting the lawful procurement and carriage of the currency.

According to the DRI Hyderabad Zonal Unit, a male passenger scheduled to board AirAsia flight AK-68 was intercepted on October 22, 2026. During a search of his cabin baggage, officers recovered US dollars 66,600, Malaysian ringgit 3,773 and Singapore dollars 2. The currencies, valued at approximately ₹63.62 lakh, were concealed inside a black plastic cover hidden among clothes in his trolley bag.

Woman Passenger Also Intercepted

During preliminary questioning, officials learnt that a female passenger was travelling on the same flight under a separate passenger name record (PNR). DRI officers placed her under surveillance and subsequently intercepted her.

A search of her cabin baggage led to the recovery of US dollars 97,600, valued at approximately ₹91.94 lakh. The currency was allegedly concealed in a similar manner inside a black plastic cover among clothes in her trolley bag.

Currency Seized, Investigation Underway

The total foreign currency seized from the two passengers was valued at approximately ₹1.56 crore. The DRI also seized the trolley bags used to conceal the currency under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

Both passengers were arrested after they failed to produce supporting documents. Further investigation is underway to establish the source of the currency, the circumstances surrounding its transportation and whether other individuals were involved.

The DRI has not yet announced further details about the investigation.