Rs 75.83 lakh hawala money seized; 7 held in Madurai

MADURAI: Seven members of a gang allegedly involved in a hawala racket were arrested and Rs 75.83 lakh cash seized from them here on Wednesday, police said.

The gang based in Nagercoil near Kanyakumari was operating for various sections including politicians, real estate sharks and smugglers, theys said.

Police, who had specific information about operations of a hawala gang in the city, picked up four youths from K.K.Nagar area on suspicion that they could be anti-social elements.

As the youths carried bundles of currency notes in bags, they were detained for interrogation based on which three others were arrested from nearby Mattuthavani area.

In all Rs 75, 83,320 hawal cash was seized from the seven youths, police said.

During interrogation, the youths were found to be members of the hawala gang which gave them commission of Rs.200 for every Rs.one lakh transported and handed over to the receiver. The entire operation was based on faith, they said.

Further investigations regarding their links were on, police added.