Lahore: A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) air hostess was apprehended by customs officials at Allama Iqbal International Airport for smuggling foreign currency. The air hostess was found in possession of American dollars and Saudi riyals equivalent to millions of Pakistani rupees.
The incident unfolded when customs authorities took action during a routine check on a PIA flight departing for Jeddah, where suspicions were raised about the air hostess. Collaborating with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) immigration, customs officials offloaded her and subsequently discovered concealed notes in her socks.
According to Deputy Collector Customs Raja Bilal, the recovered amount totaled $37,318 in US dollars and 40,000 Saudi riyals. The currency was hidden in various parts of the air hostess’s body.
Following her removal from the flight bound for Jeddah, legal proceedings were initiated against the air hostess, and she was handed over to investigative teams for further inquiry.
Deputy Collector Customs Raja Bilal emphasized that strict measures are being taken to combat currency smuggling, in accordance with directives from the Prime Minister and Chairman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). Senior officials of Pakistan International Airlines have been briefed regarding the incident involving the air hostess’s currency smuggling.