Better coordination among enforcement agencies leading to major seizures: CBIC member

Asserting that smuggling is a huge threat to national security, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) member Balesh Kumar on Friday said better coordination among enforcement agencies is leing to major seizures.

re is a need for coordinated efforts from all stakeholders including industry to tackle this menace, he said at Anti-Smuggling Day launch event, organized by Ficci CASCE (Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying Economy).

government has always been committed to combating menace of smuggling and has institutionalised coordination between agencies, which has helped in generating volumes of information that are not only timely but also accurate leing to major seizures, he said.

Referring to a recent seizure, he said, DRI in Manipur effected a seizure of 12.5 kg of gold coming across from Myanmar and over 46 lakh sticks of cigarettes worth Rs 9.5 crore in one single operation last week.

Anti-Smuggling Day launched to enhance cooperation between agencies

Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), under CBIC, is an intelligence and enforcement agency of Government of India on anti-smuggling matters.

Anti-Smuggling Day is launched with objective of enhancing coordination and cooperation between law enforcement agencies, facilitating better exchange of information and experiences, and building a strong network to find innovative solutions to combat menace of smuggling, Ficci CASCE said in a statement.

As per estimates of World Economic Forum, illicit tre resulted in an annual drain of $2.2 trillion, about 3% of world GDP in 2020.

"Textiles, tobacco products (cigarettes), reyme garments, capital goods (machinery and parts), and consumer (electronics) durables are top industries impacted by smuggling," it said.

"Despite smuggling being a global menace, due focus and thrust has not been given to this mounting threat which is not only damaging our exchequer and leing to job losses but is also impacting safety and security worldwide. In this context, it is critical to emphasise and generate global awareness about fact that root cause of illicit tre lies in smuggling," said Ficci CASCE Chairman Anil Rajput.

Speaking at event, World Customs Organisation director, compliance and facilitation directorate, PK Das said customs department has a major role to play in mitigating challenges posed by illicit tre for country and economy.