In yet another seizure of unaccounted cash since November 8, when demonetisation was announced, authorities seized over Rs 58 lakh from a Nigerian national travelling to Coimbatore on Friday at the Delhi airport.
Of the total cash seized, a majority, i.e. almost Rs 54 lakh, was in the newly introduced Rs 2000 and Rs 500 currency notes, while the remaining Rs 4 lakh was in discontinued high-value notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1000.
The man in possession of the cash was identified as one Tochukwo Chijioke by CISF personnel present at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
“He was allowed to travel after information was shared with tax and customs sleuths. A total cash of over Rs 58 lakh was detected with the Nigerian with Rs 53.78 lakh in new currency and Rs 4.29 lakh in old notes,” an official said.
“We have informed the Airport Intelligence Unit (AIU) and the Custom department. He was travelling by an Indigo flight,” the official added.
The AIU and the Custom department will question Chijioke on his arrival at the Coimbatore International Airport about the source of the money.
This seizure is one of the many instances of illegal cash being recovered currently by the Income Tax department, the Enforcement Directorate, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and other authorities.