Dollar Smuggling Bid Foiled at Ahmedabad Airport, Rs.25.8 Lakh Seized

Ahmedabad | Gujarat — In a fresh case highlighting the growing menace of dollar smuggling from India, authorities at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) Airport intercepted a Dubai-bound passenger attempting to illegally carry foreign currency worth over ₹25.8 lakh out of the country.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Ahmedabad Customs stopped a male passenger travelling to Dubai on Flight SG-15 on February 13, 2026. What followed exposed yet another attempt to quietly siphon off high-value foreign currency abroad.

During a detailed examination of his trolley bag, carry bag, and personal search, officials recovered 288 currency notes of 100 US dollars each — amounting to 28,800 USD. The seized currency is valued at approximately ₹25,81,920 under prevailing exchange rates.

A senior Customs official said, “We had credible information from DRI regarding possible illegal export of foreign currency. Based on surveillance and profiling, the passenger was intercepted before boarding. The recovery confirms that strict vigilance is necessary.”

Officials have seized the foreign currency under relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. Further investigation is underway to determine the source of the funds and whether the accused is part of a larger syndicate involved in cross-border financial violations.

Authorities say incidents of fraud and smuggling attempts have been on the rise at SVPI Airport in recent months. In recent operations, Customs officials have also seized gold bars and narcotic substances, indicating heightened activity by smuggling networks.

“Ahmedabad International Airport is witnessing increased attempts to move contraband and undeclared currency. Our teams are maintaining close watch on passengers, especially on high-risk international routes,” another official stated.

The seizure once again raises concerns about illegal outward remittances and hawala-linked operations that attempt to bypass India’s strict foreign exchange regulations. Experts warn that smuggling of US dollars not only violates customs laws but can also disrupt financial monitoring systems and aid unlawful transactions abroad.

With Dubai being a frequent destination in such cases, agencies are intensifying profiling measures and intelligence coordination to curb the illegal flow of currency.