Customs officials at Chennai airport seized US currency worth Rs 35 lakh from three women passengers who were going to board a flight to Sri Lanka.

Acting on a tip-off, Customs officials intercepted three women passengers, Lakshmi (35) and Kanakavalli (29) from Trichy and Mariammal (39) from Dindigul  on Saturday.

Their luggage was searched and they were interrogated by female customs officials after which they were arrested for trying to smuggle out foreign exchange from the country.

Cases of foreign currency smuggling appear to be on the rise at Chennai airport as earlier this month Customs officials seized foreign currencies worth Rs 1.17 crore at Chennai airport and arrested two passengers who were on their way to Sharjah.

Similarly, in May 2022, foreign currency worth Rs. 50.71 lakh was seized from five passengers about to board a flight to Dubai.

Also read: Customs officials nab smuggler carrying close to 1 kg gold at Hyderabad airport