February 11, 2023 | The Lalit, New Delhi

Smuggling is a global problem, impacting countries and regions across the globe. Governments around the world have taken various decisive measures to combat smuggling, including strengthening border security, implementing stricter trade regulations, and increasing international cooperation to disrupt criminal networks. However, smuggling continues to be a significant challenge that needs immediate attention. In order to address the critical issue of smuggling and reinforce our commitment to raise awareness and foster collaboration CASCADE successfully organized the second edition of Anti-Smuggling Day on 11th February 2023 in New Delhi.

Mr. Mohan Kumar Singh, Director General, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) was the chief guest at the programme. While addressing the conference he highlighted that the enormity of smuggling can be gauged from the fact that DRI seizes more than Rs 1,000 crore of contraband every month, the majority being narcotics and drugs. Smuggling is carried out in our country by the land, sea and air route via different modes- containers, porous borders, usage of sophisticated means by smugglers etc. Mr. Singh cited that today, smugglers are using sophisticated methods and technologies to smuggle goods across international borders. Illicit trade in terms of counterfeiting and smuggling is a global risk that has negative impacts on economic activities, deprives governments of revenue, forces a high burden on taxpayers, exposes customers to dangerous products and provides linkages to terrorism. He emphasized that the Think Tanks like FICCI CASCADE can play an important role in generating fresh ideas, creating awareness, and highlighting the problems of smuggling.

Mr. P K Das, Director, Compliance and Facilitation Directorate, World Customs Organisation (WCO) in the keynote address mentioned that as per UNCTAD smuggling drains 3 per cent of the world’s economy and results in a loss of 2 trillion dollars. Mr. Das opined that to address smuggling WCO has unveiled a three- year strategic plan (2022-25) with a focus in the areas of illicit trade. WCO has also launched a data strategy to nurture and reengineer new processes, incorporate modern disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence, blockchain, machine learning, drone, robotics etc. Highlighting the importance of sharing best practices to tackle smuggling, Mr. Das shared his insights on the advanced analytics used by CBIC (Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs) to detect fraud in indirect taxation domain in India which was showcased to WCO members as part of disseminating best practices. WCO has been applying technology to improve the seamless flow of information and statistics and real-time intelligence sharing amongst custom agencies.

Speaking on the importance of Anti-Smuggling Day, Mr. Anil Rajput, Chairman, FICCI CASCADE stated that a year ago, on this day, FICCI CASCADE, took the lead and marked the launch of Anti-Smuggling Day on 11th February. On that day we pledged to leave no stone unturned in raising awareness and resolved to take concerted action against this multi-faceted adversary. Mr. Rajput urged the United Nations to recognize and declare 11th February as Anti-Smuggling Day which will significantly encourage international cooperation and coordination in efforts to tackle this issue, as well as provide an effective platform for discussing and addressing the root cause and consequences of smuggling. This recognition will also provide greater thrust for nations to come together to find solutions and combat this global problem.

During the conference, FICCI CASCADE released a report on ‘Regulatory Interventions and Illicit Trade Across Border- Impact on Six Key Industries’. The study examines the impact of tariff and non-tariff regulatory measures on illicit trade in the six key industries namely Alcoholic Beverages, Consumer Electronics, FMCG – Packaged Foods, FMCG-Household & Personal Goods, Mobile Phones and Tobacco Products.
As a run-up to this year’s Anti-Smuggling Day, and to sensitize the youth on the menace of smuggled goods, FICCI CASCADE also organized a Digital Art/Poster making competition on the theme, ‘Stand Against Smuggling’. Winners of the competition were given awards during the conference.

Mr. Deep Chand IPS, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE and Former Special Commissioner of Police, New Delhi highlighted that to battle this menace, it is important that we work together, across borders and sectors, to disrupt the networks and supply chains that supports smuggling. This requires strong laws, and effective enforcement actions, as well as the cooperation of all relevant stakeholders, including governments, businesses, and civil society.

Mr. Najib Shah, Former Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs and Think Tank Member, FICCI CASCADE chaired the panel discussion on “Combat Smuggling to Foster National Security and Economic Development”. While chairing the session he stated that 11th February aims to spread awareness and bring on board all enforcement agencies together to understand the extend of the problem and think of ways and means for greater cooperation and coordination. Mr. Shah mentioned that if global organisation like United Nations will recognise Anti-Smuggling Day, we would be able to solve the greater purpose and win our battle against smuggling.

Panellist, Mr. Balesh Kumar, Member, Appellate Tribunal-SAFEMA, Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance stated that smuggling is a multidimensional issue and has serious impact on economic and national security of the country. There are four steps that can be taken for creating a meaningful impact to curb smuggling: legislative upgradation in the context of present dynamics of smuggling; second, effect policy changes in sectors that are vulnerable to smuggling; third, use of successful technology risk management measures and fourth, to strengthen resources including equipment and manpower to manage operational issues while combating smuggling.

During the discussion, Mr A M Kulkarni, Additional Director General, National Investigation Agency said that smuggling not only causes money arbitrage but also fuels terrorism as funds earned from such activities are funnelled back to countries which foster terrorism and in turn impact national safety and security. Mr. Ayush Mani Tiwari, IPS, Inspector General- Operations, Border Security Force and Mr. Manish Kumar Negi, Deputy Inspector General, Indian Coast Guard also shared their views in the panel discussion on achieving significant level of inter-agency and international cooperation to combat smuggling and shared methods to formulate prohibitive, combative, and curative measures to control smuggling.

Mr. Anil Sinha, Former Director, Central Bureau of Investigation and Think Tank Member, FICCI CASCADE chaired the panel discussion on “Strengthening the Global Strategy to Combat Smuggling- Achieving Coordinated Actions and Solutions”. Mr. Sinha explained that in the recent times, we have seen the use of disruptive technology which has been building a new ecosystem. He highlighted the use of blockchain for identifying products, numerical identities and bringing together various facets of the trade. He added that the enforcement agencies can come on a common platform, discuss, adopt best practices, and share the need for skill development and upgradation.

Mr. Gautam Shrinivasan, Anchor, CNBC moderated the panel discussion. The other eminent panellists who highlighted the need for real-time data analysis and sharing of intelligence to effectively tackle the problem of smuggling include Ms. Joanne Prior, Counsellor (Australian Border Force), Australian High Commission; Mr. Marco Teixeira, Regional Representative- South Asia, UNODC, Mr. Jason Gooding, Assistant Attache, Homeland Security Investigations, US Embassy and Mr. Rameesh Kailasam, CEO, IndiaTech.org (Technology Services Industry Association). They enunciated effective measures to combat and prosecute offences related to smuggling and emphasized on international and domestic cooperation to combat this global scourge.

Dr. D P Dash, Former Pr. Director-General, DRI, Former Chairman, Enforcement Committee, World Customs Organisation (WCO) and Think Tank Member, FICCI CASCADE during his concluding remarks stated that increasing significance of inter-agency and international cooperation for combating smuggling through better exchange of information and experiences will also help in strengthening national security. The conference witnessed an overwhelming response by more than 300 industry captions, representatives from consumer forums, enforcement agencies, government officials, legal experts amongst others.