Kerala gold smuggling: DRI nabs four at airport
KOCHI: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) intercepted four passengers who arrived at the airport with 5.2kg of compound gold from Dubai on Sunday.
After extraction, 4.05kg of gold worth D2.12 crore was recovered. The arrested are Mohammed Kunju Mahin of Malappuram, Muhammed Arjas of Kozhikode, Shamsudheen of Kozhikode and Kamal Mohaideen of Tamil Nadu.
“The DRI intercepted the accused who were trying to exit the airport via green channel. All of them were wearing knee caps in which packets containing compound form gold was concealed,” said DRI sources.
Lear Morewebinar on Combating Counterfeit and Smuggled and Pirated goods- During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond ,Kerala
27/10/2020 | Kerala
Be Vocal for Local and Prevent Illicit Trade
Illicit trade, smuggling and counterfeiting have been a huge challenge for humankind for many decades where they rob the government of its rightful revenue, pose health and security hazards to citizens and create a plethora of problems for the society at large. While the centre and state governments have been playing a proactive role in dealing with this issue, FICCI’s Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy (CASCADE) has also been highlighting the ill effects of this adversary and eliciting response from stakeholders to concertedly address this problem especially during the current crisis. It is with the above background that FICCI CASCADE organized a webinar on ‘Combating Counterfeit and Smuggled and Pirated goods During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond’, on 27th October 2020 focusing on the State of Kerala. The webinar was a part of a series of such events which are being organised across the country as part of a nation-wide awareness campaign to highlight the issue and focus on the growing menace of illegal trade.
Mr P Thilothaman, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Govt. of Kerala, was the Chief Guest at the webinar. In his inaugural address, Mr P Thilothaman said, “We need to create consumer awareness and substantially reduce the illicit market operations for a conducive environment for growth and development in the country.” He further added, “Consumer awareness on fake and smuggled goods is low and hence many consumers are unaware that they are buying such goods and equally unaware of the consequences. Protecting and promoting the welfare of consumers has become one of the major concerns of our government and organizing awareness programs such as these will help to educate and sensitize the consumers.”
Mr Anil Rajput, Chairman, FICCI CASCADE welcomed the dignitaries and during his address, complimented the Kerala Government for their high levels of vigil to deter any illicit activities in the state. He said, “Despite having multitude of challenges owing to COVID-19, the enforcement agencies of Kerala have seized large number of illicit liquor, fake sanitizer products, gold, tobacco products and much more.” Highlighting the Prime Minister’s Vocal for Local initiative, Mr Rajput emphasised, “I could not imagine a better time for the Hon’ble Prime Ministers clarion call of Vocal for Local-Atmanirbhar Bharat, which to my mind could alleviate the pain and catapult India to even greater heights in the future.”
Dr M I Sahadulla, Co-Chair, FICCI Kerala State Council and MD, KIMS Healthcare Management Ltd. said, “Kerala being a consumer state, the opportunity is more for illicit traders. Hence, it is essential to create awareness and put an end to such nefarious activities.”
Mr. P. C. Jha, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE and former Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs in his address said that among the different aspects of economic activity, manufacturing in small and medium enterprises which engages large number of people has been severely impacted because of COVID-19 and lockdowns and hence there is an urgent need to put it back on its feet. Promoting local manufacturing and use of indigenous products will not only increase share of manufacturing in the country’s GDP, create job opportunities in India and drive home the value of indigenously produced goods, but will also build ‘Brand India’ and deter cross border illicit trade.
Perspectives from Kerala Police was shared by Mr S Sreejith, IG, Crime, Kerala Police; Mr Sumit Kumar, Commissioner of Custom, Preventive, Kerala Customs shared the custom department’s vision in addressing the issue. Some of the key suggestions included:
- • Need for a wide scale programme to educate both industry and citizens about the dangers of smuggled and counterfeit goods.
- • Convergence of the stakeholders to address the menace of counterfeiting and smuggling.
- • Information based preventive action is a key tool to catch the perpetrators of illicit trade.
The webinar was also addressed by industry leaders from diverse sectors including Mr Deepak L Aswani, Co-Chair, FICCI Kerala State Council and Managing Partner, Lachmandas & Sons; Mr V Noushad, Managing Director, VKC Group Companies; Mr Varkey Peter, Managing Director, Mothers Agro Foods Pvt Ltd.; Mr Paul Francis, Managing Director, KLF Nirmal Industries (Pvt) Ltd and Mr Dileep Narayanan, Head-Bullion & Treasury ,Malabar Gold Private Ltd. They highlighted that the problem of illicit trade has only compounded in the current situation, where criminals have used the pandemic as an opportunity to cause significant damage on the economy of the nation, health, and safety of the consumers. The speakers also reiterated that consumer safety, safeguarding legitimate businesses while promoting indigenous production will play a significant role in the path to our economic recovery.
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Customs officials at Chennai airport seized US $18,600 from a Dubai-bound passenger
Customs officials at the Chennai International Airport seized US $18,600 from a Dubai-bound passenger, who had concealed the bills in his innerwear and cigarette packet.
According to officials, the passenger, 26-year old Syed Ali from Chennai, was intercepted after clearing immigration formalities at the departure terminal. He was bound for Dubai via Air India Express Flight.
On frisking, three bundles wrapped with black adhesive tape were recovered from his underwear. The bundles contained US $15,600 and a cigarette packet in his handbag contained US $3,000.
Total of US $18,600 in denomination of US $100 bills, equivalent to Rs. 13.7 lakh were recovered and seized under Customs Act 1962 r/w F.E.M. (Export and Import of Currency) Regulations, 2015.
Earlier on October 20, based on intelligence on gold smuggling, Customs officials in Chennai seized gold paste of 24K purity, weighing 842 grams, valued at Rs 44.4 lakh, from two passengers who had returned from Dubai.
Lear MoreCustoms destroys P21-M fake cigarettes, tobacco-making machines seized at Manila port
Various fake and smuggled cigarettes and machines used in manufacturing counterfeit cigarettes were recently destroyed by the Bureau of Customs.
A total of 2,305 reams of smuggled cigarettes branded as Marvel, Two Moon, Mighty and Astro and machines used to create counterfeit cigarettes and cigarette packaging were destroyed at a rendering facility in Porac, Pampanga on October 19.
The items, worth P21 million, which were seized at the Port of Manila were destroyed through dismantling, crushing, and shredding.
Port of Manila District Collector Michael Angelo DC Vargas said that the port “shall actively conduct condemnation and auction proceedings in line with the guidance of Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero to ensure that seized items shall no longer be used.”
The condemnation was conducted through the Auction and Cargo Disposal Division (ACDD), Enforcement and Security Service Quick Reaction Team (ESS-QRT) and the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS).
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Sarawak GOF cripples cigarette, alcohol smuggling activities
KUCHING: The Sarawak General Operations Force (GOF) today announced crippling cigarette and alcohol smuggling activities, as well as an illegal logging activity involving an overall seizure worth RM723,485.60.
Sarawak GOF Commander SAC Mancha Ata in a statement said the successful operations were carried out in Engkelili, Sibu and Marudi under ‘Ops Libas’ between Oct 19 and 21.
“The first operation was carried out on Oct 19, at 1.00 pm at a house at No 115, Jelukong in Engkilili (about 211km from here) which was suspected to be used as a storage facility for contraband goods,” he said.
The raid at the premises found 13 brown boxes containing 650 cartons of illicit white cigarettes of various brands.
“The seized items amounting to RM97,500 (including tax) was handed over to the Lubok Antu district police for further action under Section 135 (1) (D) of the Customs Act 1967,” he said.
In the second operation on Oct 19, Mancha said a team from the 10th Battalion of GOF in Sibu raided a logging site at Batu 40, Jalan Sibu-Selangau, about 464km from here, and seized an excavator, a bulldozer and 40 timber logs believed to have been cut down illegally in the area.
According to him, a man who claimed to be the owner of the excavator and bulldozer was arrested after he failed to produce relevant documents authorising him to carry out logging activities in the area.
Lear More24K smuggled gold worth 45.4 lakhs seized at Chennai airport
Chennai: The Customs Air Intelligence Unit officials have seized 864 grams of 24K pure gold from four passengers who had landed in the city from Dubai.
According to officials, they had received intelligence of possible gold smuggling on Tuesday night.
Subsequently, four passengers hailing from Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu – Sirajideen Jafar, 27, Anish Rahman, 24, Sathakathulla, 24 and Sahubar Ali, 39, who had arrived via an Air India Express Flight IX 1644 from Dubai were intercepted.
On persistent questioning, they are said to have confessed on carrying bundles of gold paste concealed in the rectum.
17 bundles of gold paste were recovered after frisking. On extraction, 864 grams of gold valued at Rs. 45.4 lakhs was recovered from the gold paste and was seized under the Customs Act, 1962.
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Chennai: Gold worth Rs 33 lakhs seized from Vaseline, hair gel tubes
Customs officials in Chennai have busted a unique modus operandi of gold smuggling, by seizing gold hidden in vaseline containers and hair gel tubes. In two cases, a total of 635 grams of gold valued at Rs. 33.3 lakhs or USD 45,429 was recovered and seized under the Customs Act.
In the first case, based on intelligence, Jinka Sudhakara, who had arrived from Kuwait via flight KU 1343 was intercepted on suspicion of carrying gold. Examination of his checked-in baggage revealed two small plastic containers of Vaseline(petroleum jelly). On further inspection, 16 gold cut bits were recovered from the jelly. 365 grams of gold valued at Rs. 19.14 lakhs was recovered and seized.
Later, Thamimun Ansari, who arrived from Dubai by Air India Express Flight IX 1644 was intercepted at the exit and his baggage was checked. Among his personal belongings, nine hair gel tubes with the branding ‘Well New Wave’ were found to be unusually heavy. On being cut open, the tubes were found to contain a golden brown, thick paste, suspected to be gold in paste form. On extraction, 270 grams of gold valued at Rs.14.16 lakhs was recovered.
Lear MoreCapacity Building Programme for Police Officers on Prevention of Counterfeiting, Smuggling and Piracy , Jammu & Kashmir
16/10/2020 | Jammu & Kashmir
Over some time now, trade in counterfeit, smuggled and pirated goods has developed into a substantial threat to the economy of our country and pose serious safety and security hazards to the society at large. Different government agencies are involved at various stages in tackling such crimes, right from detection, investigation, prosecution and prevention of such offences, often including the recovery of the proceeds of crime. The Police department is the primary law enforcement agency in our country. With low barriers to market entry and infiltration, the Police play a very significant role in ensuring the protection of right owners. There are adequate laws available, but enforcement of the laws makes the role of police officers even more important in the fight against counterfeiters and smugglers.
FICCI’s Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy [CASCADE] in its endeavor to combat crimes related to smuggling and counterfeiting has over the years been sensitizing the country’s enforcement agencies on this issue, equipping them to understand and take requisite action against the various economic offenders. Keeping the above in view, FICCI CASCADE organized a training programme on Prevention of Counterfeiting and Smuggling for the Police Officers of Jammu and Kashmir on 16th October 2020. A key objective of the program was to sensitize the officers on the seriousness of the socio-economic impact of counterfeited and smuggled goods, in terms of the huge revenue losses to the government and industry as well as the significant health & safety consequences faced by consumers.
The training was inaugurated by Mr. Manish K Sinha, IPS, Inspector General, Crime, Jammu and Kashmir Police. Mr. Sinha in his address said, “Tackling the crimes of smuggling and counterfeiting of goods has been a major concern of nations since decades. Jammu and Kashmir forces have always been on toes to capture these wrong doers. We are also planning to develop advancements for better enforcement.” He further said that illegal trade not only leads to revenue loss to the government but also leads to unemployment amongst the youth in Jammu and Kashmir, who may be then tempted to join undesirable and illegal activities.
Mr. Deep Chand, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE, in his address informed about FICCI CASCADE’s mandate of capacity building of law enforcement agencies including Judges, Police and Customs Officers, and how CASCADE had been working extensively and intensively in this area nationally, organizing training programmes and seminars along with continuous Interactions with the law enforcement authorities to emphasize on the importance of increased awareness on the gravity of the problem.
Mr. Chand emphasized that India, as a rising economic superpower need to take offences related to counterfeiting and smuggling very seriously and police has a significant role in fighting this menace. He further reiterated that although such offenses are looked at as a victimless crime, it has many far-reaching consequences and is extremely important for a police officer to understand the consequences before taking actions on ground. Only then will an officer investigating a case related to smuggling and counterfeiting be able to understand and take suitable actions
Mr. Irfan Ahmad, Chairman, FICCI Jammu & Kashmir State Council and Managing Director, IA Multiventure Pvt. Ltd in his address said that the perpetrators of illicit trade are always looking at new ways to fool the people and damage the society. In Jammu and Kashmir this year itself the police and other enforcement authorities in the state have uncovered and arrested people engaged in illicit trade. Appreciating the efforts made by the enforcement officers during such unprecedented times, he reiterated that we cannot afford to lower our guard and therefore it is extremely important that our enforcement agencies keep up their already impressive work and ensure that such mischievous elements are kept at bay.
The training programme provided a useful platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences in the enforcement of laws and practices while dealing with the perpetrators. This workshop was extremely helpful in sensitizing the police officers about the relevant laws and procedures to be followed while dealing with the cases related to smuggling and counterfeiting. The technical sessions were followed by an Interactive-Session with the police officials with industry representatives. Industry members highlighted the on-ground practical issues which they faced with regards to the availability of spurious goods and discussed collaborative actions needed with police to counter this menace.
Among the speakers who discussed the wide-ranging concerns on the issue of counterfeiting, piracy and smuggling with the participating police officials were, Advocate Ferdous A Mohammed; Mr. Milind Palany, Global Brand Protection Lead – India & South Asia, Johnson & Johnson; Mr. Rajesh Sharma, Co Chair, FICCI Jammu & Kashmir State Council and Managing Director, Skipper Overseas Pvt. Ltd; Mr. Wani Gowhar, Managing Director, Vowcare Products; Ms. Shilpi Jha, Senior Legal Counsel for Intellectual Property-South Asia, United States Patent and Trademark Office; Mr. Hugh Austin ,Attaché, ICE and Mr. John Kapitzke, Attache, US Homeland Security Investigations
All speakers unanimously agreed that the issue of illicit trade is needed to be addressed as a high priority issue with the government. An orchestrated strategy including communication, coordination and close cooperation amongst various government agencies, law enforcement officials and private sector to combat this menace is imperative. In pursuance of our mandate, FICCI-CASCADE will continue to hold similar programmes across the country in briefing enforcement agencies on procedural and enforcement issues while tackling illicit trading activities.
Customs seizes P11-million smuggled cigarettes in Pagadian City
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized about 360 master cases of smuggled cigarettes with an estimated market value of P11 million off the coast of Tabina town in Zamboanga del Sur and reportedly bound for delivery and distribution in Pagadian City.
BOC- Zamboanga City District Collector Segundo Z. Barte Jr. said the Zamboanga Peninsula Inter-Agency on Anti-Smuggling (ZPIAonAS) team led by Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) and Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) intercepted the delivery of the P10.8 million contraband on Friday, Oct. 9.
Barte said the smuggled and imported cigarettes came from Sulu province on board F/B Normay and were scheduled for delivery to a certain Asul in Pagadian City when authorities were able to intercept the shipment off the coast of Tabina town.
Representatives from Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Inc. also witnessed the seizure of the contraband that included the fake brands of “Fort,” “New Far,” “San Marino,” “Royal,” and “Astro.”
https://mb.com.ph/2020/10/14/customs-seizes-p11-million-smuggled-cigarettes-in-pagadian-city/
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€15,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes seized at Cork airport
Revenue officers seized an estimated €15,000 worth of smuggled cigarettes at Cork airport yesterday after routine profiling.
21,900 cigarettes were discovered in the carry on luggage of two people arriving on a flight from Gdansk in Poland.
Branded L&M and Marlboro Gold, the smuggled cigarettes represent a potential loss of €11,650 to the Exchequer.
In a statement this morning, Revenue said the seizure is part of ongoing operations targeting the shadow economy and the sale and supply of illegal tobacco products.
They are encouraging members of the public or businesses with information about smuggling or the sale of illegal cigarettes or tobacco to contact them in confidence on Freephone 1800 295 295.
Investigations into yesterday’s seizure are ongoing.
https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/courtandcrime/arid-40063238.html
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