Fake Tata wire brand products seized in Andhra Pradesh
The Tata Steel intelligence unit along with Andhra Pradesh police seized counterfeit Tata Wiron chain link fences and barbed wires from multiple locations in Nellore district of the southern state on Friday.
Tata Wiron is the brand name for Tata Steel’s global wire business, considered one of the leading steel wire manufacturers in the world. It has manufacturing facilities at Telco in Jamshedpur and in Maharashtra.
“Tata Wiron’s chain link fences and barbed wires are packaged in a unique manner and all original products are sold with the same packaging by authorised dealers and distributors. Upon receiving information that multiple locations in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh were selling Tata Wiron chain link fences and barbed wires in non-standard packaging, Tata Steel with the help of Andhra Pradesh police conducted joint raids in four locations and seized counterfeit chain link fences worth Rs 5 lakh and barbed wires estimated at Rs 1.54 lakh,” said a Tata Steel spokesperson.
The raids were conducted at four locations under Vedayapalem, Venkatachala Satram and Sydapuram police stations in Nellore district.
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Assam Rifles seized foreign cigarettes worth Rs 6.53 crore, arms
AIZAWL: Assam Rifles have seized foreign origin cigarettes worth Rs 6.53 crore and a large cache of firearms from two Mizoram districts adjoining the Myanmar and Bangladesh borders, officials said on Friday. Sources said that 502 boxes of foreign origin cigarettes valued at Rs 6.53 crore were seized at Ruantlang and Kelkang-Khaungleng Road in Champhai district adjoining Myanmar in eastern Mizoram on Thursday. Three people were arrested.
The operation was jointly carried out by Assam Rifles and the Customs Preventive Force. In another raid, the Central paramilitary troopers along with Mizoram Police on Thursday recovered three pistols, 174 live rounds, three kg explosives, nine detonators and other such stores including Improvised Explosive Devices from a jungle at Hmawngbu village in Lawngtlai district adjoining Myanmar and Bangladesh borders.
Lear MoreCapacity Building Programme for Police Officers on Prevention of Counterfeiting, Smuggling
20/08/2021
FICCI CASCADE (Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy) organized a capacity building programme on Prevention of Counterfeiting and Smuggling for the police officers of Jammu and Kashmir on 20th August 2021. Dr S. D. Singh IPS, ADGP, Director, Sher-I-Kashmir Police Academy, Udhampur was the chief guest at the programme. During his keynote address he said, “Counterfeiting and smuggling not only poses serious threat to the health and safety of the consumers but also endangers the national security. This problem holds special concern for us as the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, which is particularly vulnerable to the ill effects of illicit trade, due to hostile the neighbouring nations”.
Highlighting the issue of smuggled and counterfeit goods in the region, Dr Singh said, that the officers of the Jammu and Kashmir police were committed to curb this menace and have a strong hold on the situation. He further added that in recent times they have seized large quantity of fake sanitizers along with huge consignments of illicit cigarettes, alcohol and FMCG products.
During the session, Mr. Deep Chand, Advisor FICCI CASCADE and Former Special Commissioner of Police, New Delhi presented an overview on the socio-economic threat of counterfeiting and smuggling. He explained how the police department, being the primary law enforcement agency in the country, play a significant role in ensuring the protection of legitimate businesses from counterfeiters and smugglers. He shared various international and national case studies, police actions against counterfeiters and smugglers, the set of relevant laws, methods adopted by illicit traders, among others, to sensitize the officers of the magnitude of the menace and highlight their role in the fight against counterfeiters and smugglers.
Some of the key recommendations at the programme included, need for an Inter-ministerial set up for cooperation and coordination to effectively combat smuggling and counterfeiting; expeditious investigation of cases; ensuring prosecution in a time-bound manner; training and capacity building of police officers to investigate such cases; rigorous imprisonment and stringent monetary penalty among others. Moreover, effective coordination between central and state agencies, strengthening domestic manufacturing, addressing the demand and supply gap and rigorous enforcement were also emphasized upon as key elements needed to make a conducive environment, free of illicit markets.
One of FICCI CASCADE’s mandate is capacity building of law enforcement agencies including Police, Customs and Paramilitary Forces. It has worked extensively and intensively in this area organizing training programmes and seminars along with continuous interactions with the law enforcement authorities to emphasize on the importance of continued awareness and seriousness of the impact of counterfeit and smuggled goods. The capacity building programme in the Sher-I-Kashmir Police Academy, Udhampur sensitized over 100 officers on the growing dimensions of illicit trade activities through smuggling and counterfeiting detrimental for economy, public health, genuine producers as well as customers.
Mr. Rajesh Sharma, Co-chair, FICCI Jammu & Kashmir State Council and CEO, Skipper Overseas Ltd, in his concluding address, said that India’s economy and public safety continued to suffer from the ill effects of widespread smuggling and counterfeiting, Therefore, arresting this menace is vital. He urged the support of all the stakeholders, especially the police force in thwarting this threat to the nation.
Foreign cigarettes worth ₹6.5 cr. seized in Mizoram
In a major recovery of smuggled items in Mizoram this year, the Assam Rifles has seized 502 cases of foreign origin cigarettes in Champhai district with an estimated market value of ₹6.5 crore. In another incident, a major haul of arms and ammunition was made in Lawngtlai district.
The Serchhip Battalion of 23 Sector Assam Rifles, under the aegis of the Headquarters Inspector General Assam Rifles (East), seized 502 cases of foreign origin cigarettes in general area Ruantlang and Kelkang- Khaungleng Road in Champhai on Thursday, a statement from the Assam Rifles said. The operation was carried out by a joint team of the Assam Rifles and the Customs department, Champhai, based on specific information, it stated.
Three persons were detained and handed over to the Customs for legal proceedings along with the recovered items. Smuggling is a major concern in Mizoram given the porous border with Myanmar.
Lear MoreHyderabad police busts fake currency printing gang, Rs 16 lakh seized
The City police on Thursday busted a fake currency printing gang and arrested five persons including two students and a border security force constable in connection with the case. They seized the fake currency of Rs 16 lakh from them.
The arrested were identified as C Santosh Kumar (29) a photographer, J Sai Kumar (24), who is into courier business, two students – Dharmaji Neeraj Kumar (21), and Jaligam Ram (20), 102 Battalion of BSF constable Sunkari Srinivas (31), a native of Siddipet.
Announcing the arrests of five people in fake currency printing racket, Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar said that the arrested persons were printing the currency at a house in Siddipet using a laptop and photocopier.
Anjani Kumar said that Santosh Kumar, prime accused in the case began printing and circulating fake currency using his laptop and printer. “They scanned original Rs 500 notes and later cut it into the usual size before packing in bundles. Later, they used to supply to people in ratio 1:3 in the market,” he added.
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WHO identifies fake Covishield in India, Uganda
Some unpalatable news for the country’s nationwide vaccination drive has surfaced. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified counterfeit versions of Covishield in India and Uganda. As per a global news agency report, the doses were seized by authorities in India and Uganda between July and August. Even vaccine maker Serum Institute of India has confirmed to the WHO that the vaccines were fake.
Now, the WHO has issued a Medical Product Alert about counterfeit Covishield vaccines circulating in the two countries.
“The genuine manufacturer of Covishield (Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd.) has confirmed that the products listed in this alert are falsified. These falsified products have been reported at the patient level in Uganda and India,” the WHO said.
It said the products were confirmed as falsified on the basis that they deliberately/fraudulently misrepresent their identity, composition or source.
The counterfeit Covishield vial detected in Uganda was a 5 ml dosage form containing 10 doses. It had a batch number 4121Z040 and the falsified expiry date of August 10.
https://www.dailypioneer.com/2021/page1/who-identifies-fake-covishield-in-india–uganda.html
Lear MoreSpurious foreign liquor manufacturing unit unearthed in Odisha, 8 held
Berhampur (Odisha), Aug 19 (PTI) A spurious foreign liquor manufacturing unit was unearthed in Odisha”s Ganjam district on Thursday and eight people were arrested in this connection, police said.
Acting on a tip-off, a team of policemen conducted a search operation at Kamalabari Street here and recovered a huge quantity of materials used for making adulterated liquor.
At least eight people, allegedly involved in manufacturing of spurious India Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) at the unit, were apprehended, and two others managed to escape from the spot, an officer said.
The raid was conducted by the Aska Police Station in association with the Bada Bazar Police, he said.
Huge quantities of adulterated foreign liquor, spirit, colour, tomato paste, syringe, stickers of different brands, plastic jars, weight machine among others were seized from the spot, Aska Police Station inspector in-charge PK Sahoo said.
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Five held for printing and circulating fake Indian Currency Notes
A racket of printing and circulating Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) was busted by police here on Thursday who took into custody five members of a gang in this connection.
The racket is believed to have been operating for the past two months from Siddipet town of Telangana. Police seized counterfeit currency notes with a face value of Rs 16 lakh from the possession of the five gang members.
They were nabbed near Yousufguda check post where they came with the fake notes to sell them to needy customers, Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar said.
The gang was printing and circulating counterfeit currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 200 denomination, police said, adding they also seized one printer-cum-scanner and a laptop.
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250 bottles of liquor seized on Air India charter flight to Leh
Leh: Excise officers have seized over 250 bottles of liquor that were allegedly smuggled into Leh from Delhi on an Air India charter flight and arrested three people, including a contractual employee of the national carrier, officials said on Wednesday. Acting on inputs, the seizure was made on Tuesday from two cars outside the airport, they said.”There were eight cartons carrying around 170 bottles of liquor and about 100 beer bottles. The cartons had Air India charter flight’s tag on them,” an official said.
A contractual employee of Air India and two more people have been arrested in connection with the case, the officials said, adding that the cars have also been seized. The excise officials have sought information from senior Air India staff at Leh about the attempted smuggling, they said.
They have also sought details from Air India about the passengers on the basis of the luggage tags, the officials said. Describing the modus operandi, they said that liquor bottles are sold to private hotels in Ladakh at higher prices as there is a shortage in the Union Territory.
https://www.thenorthlines.com/250-bottles-of-liquor-seized-on-air-india-charter-flight-to-leh/
Lear MoreIn Conversation programme with Lt Gen Pradeep Chandran Nair, AVSM, YSM, DG, Assam Rifles
17/08/2021
Border forces are critical stakeholders in combating cross border illegal trading activities. On one hand, while open borders facilitate travel and trade, they also make border control more challenging due to the emerging new forms of cross border crimes. Hence, it becomes vital that officers at the borders are prepared to identify possible suspects and their victims in such ill-intentioned crimes. To understand and deliberate on issues of cross-border smuggling in India, preparedness of the government and initiatives taken by Assam Rifles to combat this menace, Lt Gen Pradeep Chandran Nair, AVSM, YSM, DG, Assam Rifles joined for an ‘In Conversation Series’ programme of FICCI’s Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy (CASCADE) on 17th August 2021. This initiative is a unique forum where eminent guests and subject matter experts discuss and share insights on the various facets of illicit trade, through an interesting, candid conversation.
During the conversation Lt Gen P C Nair said, “Assam Rifles as the Border Guarding Force has been at the helm of affairs to counter the illegal trade along the 1643 km of porous and unfenced border of India-Myanmar. The whole region is of great importance from the economic and strategic point of view and will determine the future growth and development of the region provided necessary steps and initiatives as designed are executed under the ACT EAST POLICY”.
Speaking on the menace of smuggling and illicit trade, Lt Gen P C Nair said, “the Force in the year 2020 seized Rs 857 Cr of illegally traded goods and in 2021, it has already seized illegal goods worth Rs 746 Cr. approx. These seizures are despite the ongoing trade which is alarming and overwhelming, detrimental to national development and India’s Act East Policy”.
He further added that Assam Rifles continues to honour & execute the given mandate in letter and spirit and takes pride in being one of the finest outfits of the nation. The Force is committed to working in synergy with all Central and State agencies to combat illegal trade and smuggling towards its rightful end.
Mr. Deep Chand, Former Special Commissioner of Police, New Delhi, and Advisor, FICCI CASCADE while in conversation with Lt Gen P C Nair said “Illicit trade across the borders is impacting the social fabric of nations; India in particular is a victim of large-scale smuggling. This web of illicit trade has entangled not only the legal industry and governments, but also the consumers who are exposed to grave risks to life and security”.
Mr. Anil Rajput, Chairman, FICCI CASCADE welcomed the guests and congratulated Lt Gen P C Nair and the brave hearts of his force who have been determined to protect the infiltration of illicit goods into our country while maintaining security across the borders. He emphasised that the proactive vigilance of the officers of Assam Rifles in intercepting the movement of smuggled goods was a definitive step towards putting fear in the hearts of those who dealt in such illicit trading. Highlighting the linkages of organised crime and illicit trade, Mr Rajput expressed his concern on how the proceeds from illicit trade were increasingly becoming the main source of terror funding. He emphasised on the need to understand this relationship and to work towards effective mechanisms to counter its impact.
FICCI CASCADE has been over the years working closely with government, industry, enforcement officials, legal fraternity, consumer organizations and the youth to create awareness on the adverse impact of the problem of counterfeiting and smuggling. Among other activities, FICCI CASCADE has been regularly engaging with law enforcement agencies including police, customs and paramilitary organizations engaged in border protection in sensitizing them on the gravity of the problem.
Watch the session at: https://youtu.be/o81nEVVJk9s
