KARACHI: Pakistani’s Airport Security Forces (ASF) has foiled an attempt to smuggle foreign currency from Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport.
The passenger, identified as Mohammad Ahmed Ilyas, was caught with foreign currency worth approximately 17 million in Pakistani rupees, which he allegedly intended to transport to Dubai.
During routine checks, ASF personnel discovered 225,000 UAE dirhams and Saudi riyals concealed in Ilyas' luggage, according to a report from Express Tribune.
Upon inspection, the ASF promptly seized the currency and detained the suspect. "The foreign currency was seized after routine checks flagged his bag, and the suspect, along with the seized currency, was handed over to Customs for further investigation," ASF officials stated
Customs authorities have taken over the case to conduct a comprehensive investigation and to determine the purpose behind the attempted smuggling.
This incident marks the second significant currency smuggling case at Jinnah International Airport in recent months. In a similar operation in September, Customs officials intercepted two passengers, identified as Muntazir Mehdi and Mohammad Kashif, who were attempting to smuggle over Dh100,000 out of Pakistan on a Pakistan International Airline (PIA) flight to Dubai. The passengers claimed the funds were intended for videography equipment purchases; however, Customs officials proceeded to seize the currency and initiated legal proceedings due to the violation of currency export regulations.
Pakistani authorities say that enhanced checks and monitoring procedures will continue to be enforced to deter illicit currency trafficking.