$40,000 Recovered from Uzbek Woman at Amritsar Airport; DRI Apprehends Accused Based on Suspicion

May 21, 2026

In a major operation at Amritsar Airport, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has recovered a substantial amount of US dollars from a foreign female passenger.

According to reports, the passenger—a national of Uzbekistan—was scheduled to board a flight bound for Dubai from Amritsar. Acting on suspicion, a DRI team inspected her checked luggage.

During the search, officials discovered 40,000 US dollars inside her bag. The value of the recovered foreign currency is estimated to be approximately ₹38.73 lakh in Indian currency. Upon questioning, the passenger was unable to produce the necessary documents or valid permits regarding the funds. Consequently, DRI officials seized the entire amount of foreign currency under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

DRI Interrogation Continues; In-depth Investigation Underway

According to sources, agencies are now working to ascertain the origin of this large sum of money and the motive behind transporting it to Dubai. Officials suspect that the case may be linked to a ‘Hawala’ network or illicit foreign currency transactions. Currently, the passenger remains under interrogation, and a thorough investigation into the matter is being conducted.

Surveillance at Airports Intensified

The DRI has stated that surveillance at airports is being continuously enhanced to curb the smuggling of foreign currency and prevent illicit activities. It is anticipated that the ongoing investigation may lead to several significant revelations in the coming days. At present, investigative agencies are examining every aspect of the case.