Tripura Police seized unaccounted cash worth Rs 1.68 crore at Agartala’s Maharaja Bir Bikram Airport and detained two Maharashtra residents. Authorities suspect an interstate illegal cash transportation network. The Income Tax Department and Customs have launched an investigation into possible money laundering, organized syndicates, and cross-border financial crimes.
In a crackdown on suspected illegal cash transportation, the Special Branch of Tripura Police seized unaccounted cash worth Rs 1.68 crore from two passengers at Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport in Agartala. The operation led to the detention of two men from Maharashtra, raising suspicions about an organized interstate cash movement network.
The detained individuals have been identified as Dattatry Thakram Virkar (36) and Sajal Sachin Devkar (21), both residents of Maharashtra. According to police officials, the duo was intercepted during a routine security and intelligence-based search operation at the airport. During the inspection, authorities recovered a total of Rs 1,68,27,000 in cash from their possession.
Following the seizure, the two men and the recovered cash were handed over to the Income Tax Department and Customs authorities for further investigation. Officials said the cash was not supported by valid documentation at the time of the recovery, prompting a detailed inquiry into its origin and intended destination.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the two suspects had allegedly been making frequent trips between Maharashtra and Agartala since June 4. Investigators believe the pair may have been acting as carriers in a larger operation involving the transportation of cash-filled luggage across state borders.
Sources associated with the investigation stated that the suspects reportedly did not possess the passwords required to open the bags they were carrying. Authorities suspect that passwords were exchanged directly between individuals at the departure and arrival points, a method believed to have been adopted to maintain secrecy and limit the carriers’ knowledge of the contents.
Officials also disclosed that the duo was allegedly provided with new mobile phones for every trip. Investigators believe this practice may have been used to avoid surveillance, reduce digital footprints, and prevent law enforcement agencies from tracking communication patterns.
The seizure has prompted concerns regarding the possible existence of an organized network involved in illegal cash transportation and money laundering activities. Authorities are examining financial transactions, travel records, and communication links connected to the suspects in an effort to identify other individuals involved in the operation.
The Income Tax Department, Customs officials, and law enforcement agencies are jointly investigating the case to determine the source of the money, its intended recipients, and whether the operation is linked to a broader syndicate engaged in financial crimes.
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Officials have indicated that further action will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation. The major cash seizure at Agartala Airport has once again highlighted the challenges faced by authorities in tackling illegal cash movement and suspected money laundering networks operating across state boundaries.
