Man arrested for possessing fake currency in airport

Chennai, Sep 2 (UNI) Airport police arrested a 55-year-old man for attempting to fly to Jeddah with fake currency notes worth Rs 50 lakh at the International Airport here today.

Police said when immigration authorities examined a travel bag belonging to Abul Hassan of Kayalpattinam in Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu, as he was boarding the Riyad-bound Saudi Arabian Airlines flight, they found Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes worth Rs 50 lakh.

When questioned about the reason for carrying so much of money in Indian currency, the passenger told them that he was carrying the money to provide food and other facilities to Haj pilgrims in Jeddah.

When the authorities concerned informed him that he coould carry a maximum of only Rs 5,000 in Indian currency, he pleaded ignorance about rules and regulations in this respect.

Income Tax officials, who were also jointly interrogating the accused, along with immigration authorities, suspected that Hassan could be involved in a 'hawala' deal.

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