The Hindu : New Delhi News : Myanmar nationals held for smuggling

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Tuesday, Apr 01, 2008
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Myanmar nationals held for smuggling

Staff Reporter

Illegally imported jewellery, cash seized

NEW DELHI: Two Myanmar nationals have been arrested by the Customs Department on charges of attempting to smuggle out foreign currency worth Rs.22 lakh and illegally import jewellery by evading duty. The agency claims to have seized precious stones’ studded ornaments valued at Rs.86 lakh from one of them.

The Air Intelligence Unit officials of the IGI Airport Customs intercepted 35-year-old Khin Hla Myint at the departure hall when she was going to board a Thai flight to Yangon via Bangkok. On searching her luggage, they found dollars and euros valued at Rs.22 lakh concealed in a false bottom of the hand bag and the stroller suitcase, following which she was taken into custody.

During interrogation, Khin purportedly disclosed that the money was given to her by Thiri Aung (29), also a woman from Myanmar, who had been residing in the Safdarjung area. Subsequently Thiri was arrested and jewellery and Rs.2.17 lakh allegedly seized from her. “It is a significant achievement as we have been able to seize both the money and the jewellery,” said a police officer. The Customs officials suspect that after illegally bringing the jewellery into the country, accused Thiri had sold a part of it to someone. She then allegedly got the Indian currency illegally exchanged for dollars and euros, which were being smuggled out to Myanmar.

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