Alleged hawala money seized from NRI man in Kasaragod

Kasaragod: Police on Tuesday seized alleged unaccounted money of Rs 1.17 crore from an NRI man at Trikkanad near Bekal. The accused, identified as Abdul Khader , 46, of Melparamba, was taken into custody while he was transporting the cash.

According to police, the seizure was made after receiving a tip-off. Khader claimed he was delivering the money to a business partner at Chittari, but failed to produce the source of the money, police said.

Police suspect that Khader is part of a hawala racket and that he supplies unaccounted money to families of NRIs. In a preliminary investigation, police found that Khader has no business in Kerala. The cash was recovered concealed under the back seat of the car.

Police also found a list with 40 persons in the accused's pocket and they suspect the individuals on the list were his customers.