The car, with bundles of cash in a bag, was intercepted during a vehicle check on Thirumalaipillai Road.

The car had six occupants, including the driver, and all hailed from Andhra. The occupants included a seafood exporter, a financier and four of their staff.

The men said they travelled to Kancheepuram for a temple visit. On their return journey, they stopped at Silukulur Pettai, where a business associate paid them Rs 23.5 lakh in cash.

As the group did not have valid documents, they were detained, money was seized, and the Income Tax department was alerted.