Three Chinese Nationals Held at Delhi Airport with ₹18.95 Lakh in Undeclared Cash

Three Chinese nationals were apprehended at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Thursday after security personnel recovered ₹18.95 lakh in undeclared Indian currency from their possession, officials said.

According to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) , the incident occurred around 4:30 pm when personnel intercepted one of the passengers, who was scheduled to board a Shanghai-bound flight , carrying ₹6 lakh in cash inside his baggage during security screening.

Following the initial recovery, the matter was referred to Customs authorities , who identified two accompanying Chinese nationals . A subsequent examination led to the recovery of a total of ₹18.95 lakh in cash from the three passengers.

Officials said the passengers were unable to produce valid documents or provide a satisfactory explanation for possessing the large amount of Indian currency. As a result, they were stopped from boarding the flight and handed over to Customs officials for further investigation.

Authorities are now examining the source of the cash , its intended use, and whether the case involves any violations of foreign exchange, customs, or other financial regulations . Investigators are also looking into the travel history and possible links of the three individuals as part of the inquiry.

The incident has once again highlighted security concerns involving foreign nationals attempting to leave the country with substantial amounts of undeclared cash. Officials said airport security agencies and Customs remain on high alert to curb illegal cross-border movement of currency and ensure compliance with Indian laws governing the transportation of cash.