Tajik nationals detained while attempting to smuggle $1.2 million in India

According to Indian media, on July 21, 2023, three citizens of Tajikistan were detained at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on suspicion of smuggling a large sum of cash.

According to the airport customs service, during a search of the luggage of the Tajik citizens, customs officials discovered 720,000 US dollars and 664,200 euros.

Published photographs and videos show that the detained “smugglers” had a large number of bundles of banknotes in denominations of 100 US dollars, 50, 100, and 200 euros.

The customs service has not reported on the identities of the detainees. It is noted that the detainees were supposed to fly to Istanbul on flight No. TK 0717 on July 21 from Terminal No. 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.

Also in the footage, it can be seen that the bundles of money were wrapped in newspaper and then hidden in sports shoes. Additionally, to disguise them, everything was covered with sheets of paper and wrapped in plastic bags.

The authorities of India have called the incident involving the smuggling of foreign currency “the largest in history.” It is reported that a case has been initiated, the entire amount has been confiscated, and an investigation is underway.