Four trucks carrying 102 bags containing cash and diamond and gold
jewellery were seized in a joint operation by the National Investigation
Agency (NIA) and the Income Tax (I-T) department at the Mumbai Central
railway station late on Monday night.
The consignment, estimated to be worth around Rs. 150 crore, was being
sent to Gujarat. It was escorted to the railway station by the Mumbai
police, as is the usual practice when consignments of this nature are
transported.
The NIA had received a tip-off about money being sent to Gujarat through
the hawala route, allegedly to fund terror activities. It was suspected
that the consignment contained fake currency as well. The NIA shared
the information with the I-T department.
By Tuesday afternoon, sources in the NIA said an initial probe revealed
no evidence of funding of terror activities or fake currency. The agency
was questioning 40 men detained during the seizure.
Consignments such as these are routinely sent by diamond merchants in
Mumbai. Agents known as Angadiyas (couriers) transport uncut diamonds
and jewellery to Surat and other parts of Gujarat, where they are given
the finishing touches. When the consignment reaches a pre-determined
merchant in Gujarat, the Angadiyas get a certain amount as commission.