FICCI CASCADE observes 4th Anti Smuggling Day, focus on international collaborations
The objective of declaring an Anti-Smuggling Day was to highlight the issue amongst consumers, adverse impact of smuggling
New Delhi, February 14
On the 4th Anti Smuggling Day organised by FICCI CASCADE, the enforcement agencies discussed measures and progress in curbing smuggling in the country.
Mr Mohan Kumar Singh, Member (Compliance Management), Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs today said, “There are various challenges that law enforcement agencies face in tackling smuggling including going after the criminal syndicates or the key persons who are financing such illegal operations; it is not enough to just catch the carrier. To put a big dent into the smuggling network, we need to have enough data, skill sets and tools to analyze the data and intelligence coordination. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has taken the lead to establish an anti-smuggling coordination platform so that all agencies come forward and share relevant information and work towards eliminating smuggling activities and catching the real culprits.”
Pankaj Kumar Singh, Former Deputy National Security Advisor said, “There are now new models of smuggling that involves technology such as the usage of drones that enables the creation of huge margins for these illegal activities. The message from the government is clear that no smuggling or infiltration is to be permitted. There have been multiple instances of shooting down of drones carrying illegal goods but given the enormous length of our borders, challenges remain.”
“There is no dearth of right minded, nationalist and country loving people in this country who are willing to help and law enforcement agencies need to approach them to get relevant information and intelligence. We have made lot of strides in technology adoption by law enforcement agencies such as scouting the dark net to get leads to catch smugglers. Technology combined with human intelligence is the way forward to fight this menace of illicit trade", he added.
The objective of declaring an Anti-Smuggling Day was to highlight the issue amongst consumers, adverse impact of smuggling on nation-building, fostering coordination and cooperation among law enforcement agencies).
FICCI CASCADE chairman Anil Rajput said, "We launched the Anti-Smuggling Day on February 11, 2022 and pledged to spare no effort in raising awareness and taking concerted action against the multi-faceted challenge of smuggling. We have now introduced a new campaign - 'Smuggled Saaman Ko Karo Nakaar, Viksit Bharat Ka Sapna Karo Sakaar'. "
FICCI CASCADE also highlighted the 2023-24 DRI Smuggling in India report that stated the government seized more than 8000 kgs of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, apart from other contraband items in huge quantities. While the seizure rates have gone up considerably, it is only the tip of the iceberg.
Apart from drugs, the DRI report also highlighted that 1319 kgs of gold and Rs. 178.82 crores worth of smuggled cigarettes were seized. These kinds of smuggling result in revenue loss to the government. For instance, according to international research reports, confiscation rates vary between 3 to 4 percent and based on this, it can be estimated that the illicit market of cigarettes is likely to be between Rs. 17250 and Rs. 23000 crores. Additionally, as per industry estimates, the loss to the exchequer stands at approximately Rs. 21,000 crores.
The objective of declaring an Anti-Smuggling Day was to highlight the issue amongst consumers, adverse impact of smuggling on nation-building, fostering coordination and cooperation among law enforcement agencies.
