Date:18/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/18/stories/2008121859250800.htm

Tamil Nadu

400 fishes seized from two passengers

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Officials of Customs at the Chennai airport seized 400 fishes including 40 medium-sized Arowana fishes from two passengers on Tuesday.

An official release said the authorities seized 100 fishes, which included 60 small ornamental fishes from a passenger who arrived from Singapore.

In the second incident, the authorities seized 300 ornamental fishes from another passenger who also arrived from Singapore.

The total value of the seized fishes was Rs 2.10 lakh, the release said adding the import of live ornamental fishes required license from Director General of Foreign Trade and clearance from Animal Quarantine Department.

The seized fishes would be deported to Singapore, said the authorities.

In another case, the authorities seized Singapore $ 29,000, equivalent to Rs 9.41 lakh from a passenger bound for Singapore. The foreign currency was seized from the checked-in baggage.

As the passenger was not in possession of any valid document to prove the legal export of the foreign currencies, the amount was seized. Further investigation is on.