Customs Field Formations and DRI keep Constant Vigil to Deter Smuggling
of Gold and Drugs
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A dedicated Anti Narcotics Task Force has
been established in each of the states/ union territories to control menace of
drug trafficking. The Multi-Agency Maritime Security Group (MAMSG) set up under
the aegis of National Security Council Secretariat, also monitors smuggling of
drugs
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence
(DRI) celebrated its 65th Founding Day on 5th December 2022 in an Inaugural Function
held in New Delhi. This was stated by Union Minister of State for Finance Shri Pankaj
Chaudhary in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 23 February, 2023.
The Minister stated that the
inaugural function was followed by the 8th Regional Customs Enforcement Meeting
(RCEM) which is a meeting of Heads of Enforcement of Customs of the region as well
as representatives from international agencies like World Customs Organization (WCO)
and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Giving more information, the
Minister stated that the year-wise data of seizure of gold made by Customs field
formations and DRI during the last three calendar years and current year i.e. 2020,
2021, 2022 and 2023 (upto January 2023) is enclosed as ANNEXURE-A. The details of
persons arrested for gold smuggling is given in ANNEXURE-A.
The Minister further stated that
the year-wise data of seizure of drugs by all Drug Law Enforcement Agencies for
2020, 2021 and 2022 (upto November 2022) is enclosed as ANNEXURE-B. The details
of drug traffickers arrested is given in ANNEXURE-B.
To deter smuggling of gold and
drugs, the Minister stated, Customs field formations and DRI keep constant vigil
and take operational measures such as passenger profiling, risk based interdiction
and targeting of cargo consignments, non-intrusive inspection, rummaging of aircrafts
and coordination with other agencies. Modus Operandi Circulars related to new modus
/ method used by the smugglers are issued from time to time, the Minister stated.
The Minister further stated on
counter measures that the Government makes policy interventions and takes operational
measures to check smuggling. Strict vigil is being kept at possible areas of smuggling.
Modus Operandi Circulars related to new modus / method used by the smugglers are
being issued to all the Customs field formations.
Further, the Minister stated,
to counter the menace of NDPS smuggling, various Central law enforcement agencies
and state police departments monitor and control drug smuggling in India. A Narco
Co-ordination Centre (NCORD) has been set up by the Ministry of Home Affairs for
effective co-ordination among various law enforcement agencies. A dedicated Anti
Narcotics Task Force has been established in each of the states/ union territories
to control menace of drug trafficking. The Multi-Agency Maritime Security Group
(MAMSG) set up under the aegis of National Security Council Secretariat, also monitors
smuggling of drugs.