In a joint operation, the Income Tax Department and National Investigation Agency (NIA) personnel seized four trucks carrying over 150 bags of cash and other valuables from outside Mumbai Central railway station late last night. The amount of seizure is yet to be ascertained and NIA officials are probing the money trail. Around 40 people have been detained for questioning by the two agencies. The IT officials said that prima facie the cash appears to be part of hawala transaction, to be carried to Gujarat from Mumbai.
The operation was carried out following a tip-off received by the NIA at least a week ago. It roped in the IT Department for help as a huge amount of cash was involved. IT officials said that so far, 50 bags containing cash have been scrutinised and they are looking into the contents of the remaining.