Three Arrested For Trying To Smuggle $80,000 From Kolkata Airport.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) busted a syndicate involved in smuggling foreign currency out of the country and seized $80,000 at the Kolkata airport, an official said today.
Three people have been arrested, the official added. The gang had a unique modus operandi.
With hidden bundles of foreign currency notes in their shoes, two members of the group — Sheikh Masiruddin and Md Akhtar Moeni — cleared security check and waited at the domestic departure security hold area. At around the same time, the third member of the gang, Ziaul Mustafa, entered the airport to fly to Bangkok.
After being issued his boarding pass, Mr Mustafa cleared immigration and customs and entered the international departure security hold area before boarding his flight.
A chained glass door separates the domestic departure security hold area from the international departure zone.
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8 million cigarettes seized at Dublin port.
3, December 2018 l Buzz.ie
The cigarettes that were seized have an estimated value of €4 million and they were discovered during a search of a freight that came into the port from Rotterdam.
The officers were carrying out a routine check when the discovered the haul.
With the aid of the Revenue’s mobile x-ray scanner, the officers were able to discover the cigarettes.
The brands that were seized were ‘Mayfair’ and ‘Richmond’ and it would have meant a loss to the Exchequer of approximately €3.3 million.
https://www.buzz.ie/news/8-million-cigarettes-seized-309134
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Customs officials seize 1.8kg gold at Jaipur Airport.
2, December 2018 l DNA India
The customs officials apprehended two passengers at the Jaipur airport for allegedly trying to smuggle 1.8kg gold by concealing it in slippers and sandals on Saturday.
Sources said that two passengers had arrived on a flight from Bangkok and had concealed small pieces of gold in the sole of their footwear. The conduct of the two raised suspicion and when a team of customs officials intercepted and questioned them, the accused admitted to smuggling gold which they were after delivering it in Jaipur were supposed to leave for Bihar.
According to customs officials, the trend of smuggling of gold from Bangkok has been on the rise of late. Earlier, the major gold smuggling was done by passengers arriving from the Gulf. Bangkok is a new phenomenon.
https://www.dnaindia.com/jaipur/report-customs-officials-seize-18kg-gold-at-jaipur-airport-2691474
Lear MoreAnti-Counterfeit Packaging Ma
Anti-Counterfeit Packaging Market by Technology (RFID, Barcode, Hologram, Taggants), Usage Feature (Overt & Covert), End-Use Industry (Food & beverage, Healthcare, Electronics & automotive, Consumer durables), and Region – Global Forecast to 2023
Markets and Markets projects that the anti-counterfeit packaging market size will grow from USD 105.9 billion in 2018 to USD 182.2 billion by 2023, at a CAGR of 11.5%. The anti-counterfeit packaging market is projected to witness a high growth due to the increasing focus of manufacturers on brand protection to reduce counterfeiting.
By technology, the RFID segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR from 2018 to 2023.
In terms of value, the RFID technology segment accounted for the second-largest market share in 2017 and is projected to grow at a highest CAGR during the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to its usage in almost all industries such as automotive, chemical, construction, food & beverages, and pharmaceutical industries. The barcode sector of the technology segment constituted highest share in the anti-counterfeit packaging market; and is projected to grow at a second-highest rate during the forecast period as it is highly preferred for brand protection in almost all industries but especially in personal care & cosmetics products. This is due to the information and code embossed over the barcode does not allow the covert data to be displayed on the label, making it difficult for counterfeiters to copy. A barcode helps companies to integrate product lines and reduce the total cost of ownership.
By usage feature, the overt technology is projected to be the largest market during the forecast period
In terms of value, the overt technology of the usage feature segment accounted for the largest market share in 2017 and is also projected to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period. Overt is the most widely used technology as they display product information, brand identification symbols, and transportation details during shipping.
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India’s coastal security: An assessment
Coastal preparedness is better than earlier — but the overall picture remains less than satisfactory. While the state of inter-agency coordination has improved, state governments continue to be indifferent to needs of coastal security, and the state-police still reluctant to shoulder responsibility.
The tenth anniversary of 26/11 is an apt occasion to review the state of India’s coastal security preparedness. In the aftermath of the attacks on Mumbai, the government made concerted efforts to improve coastal security infrastructure and law enforcement. In a radical overhaul of the coastal defence apparatus, a three-tier security grid was installed with the Indian Navy, the coast guard, and the marine police jointly patrolling India’s near-seas. An existing Coastal Security Scheme (originally instituted in 2005) was accelerated, with greater fund allocations for coastal infrastructure, including police stations and radar stations along India’s coastline. The enterprise included measures to improve ‘surveillance and domain awareness,’ through the installation of radar stations and identification systems), and the enhancement of coordination through Joint Operation Centres (JOCs).
A decade later, coastal preparedness is better than earlier, but the overall picture remains less than satisfactory. While the state of inter-agency coordination has improved, state governments continue to be indifferent to needs of coastal security, and the state-police still reluctant to shoulder responsibility. The real problem, observers point out, are systemic flaws in the policing apparatus. From low numbers of marine police stations, to the underutilisation of patrol boats for coastal tasks, absence of shore-based infrastructure, through to manpower shortages and unspent funds, coastal managers are yet to resolve many structural issues plaguing the system.
Regrettably, the proposal to set up an apex coastal authority remains frozen. India’s policymakers recognise the need for a full-time manager to coordinate the large number of agencies (over 15) in the coastal security space. Officials say that the National Committee for Strengthening Maritime and Coastal Security, which presently coordinates joint activities, is at best an ad hoc arrangement. Yet, parliament has not been able to clear the coastal security bill that would establish a National Maritime Authority (NMA).
https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/indias-coastal-security-an-assessment-45692/
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1.8 million smuggled cigarettes seized by Customs.
28, November 2018 l Radionz
Customs has seized about 1.8 million cigarettes and more than $2 million cash in an investigation into an Auckland businessman.
New Zealand Police have also restrained multiple properties, luxury cars and bank accounts.
The businessman was arrested by Customs at Auckland Airport last Wednesday as he attempted to leave the country.
He has been charged with defrauding Customs revenue.
“The tax evaded by smuggling the 1.8 million cigarettes is almost $1.8m,” Customs said in a statement.
The investigation began after Customs identified a company suspected of smuggling cigarettes inside sea containers. Customs, during a recent container inspection, located 340,000 cigarettes hidden inside metal cabinets.
Lear MoreThree arrested on attempt to smuggle foreign cigarettes.
26, November 2018 l News First
Three individuals who had attempted to smuggle foreign cigarettes into the country have been arrested by the Custom at the BIA.
The cigarettes are valued at over Rs. 2.5 million.
Media Spokesperson for the Customs, Sunil Jayarathne said that the arrested suspects had arrived at the country from Sharjah. They have been identified as residents of Maligawaththa and Thissamaharama.
Jayarathne added that the number of cases in smuggling cigarettes into the country have significantly increased.
https://www.newsfirst.lk/2018/11/26/three-arrested-on-attempt-to-smuggle-foreign-cigarettes/
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Fake cosmetics worth Dh1m seized in Dubai Police raid.
25, November 2018 l Gulf News
Dubai: Thousands of counterfeit cosmetic products valued at Dh1 million have been seized in Dubai, a police official said.
Colonel Omar Mohammad Bin Hammad, deputy director of the Anti-Economic Crime Department, said the products were seized during a raid on a warehouse in Bur Dubai.
“We received information about a warehouse with fake products. We raided the place and found 220,000 fake cosmetic products and make-up [kits] carrying famous brands’ logos. [The seized products were] worth Dh1 million,” Col Bin Hammad said. An Arab national running the warehouse was arrested.
“The warehouse was raided just before the products were to be distributed in local markets,” Col Bin hamad said. The seized products included different types of lip stick, nail polish and powder.
Colonel Bin Hamad said that people selling fake products are increasingly hawking their wares on social media, rather than on the streets.
https://gulfnews.com/uae/crime/fake-cosmetics-worth-dh1m-seized-in-dubai-police-raid-1.60319248
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Experts stress on 3 C’s to fight illicit trade.
22, November 2018 l SME Times
Experts participating at an FICCI CASCADE training programme viewed that there is a need to create communication, coordination and close cooperation amongst various government agencies, law enforcement officials and private sector to curb the growing menace of illicit trade.
FICCI organised the training program for Delhi police officials at the Academy for Smart Policing, New Delhi.
Experts at the event viewed that All speakers unanimously agreed on the fact that the existence and operation of smuggling and counterfeiting is not only broad in scope and large in value but is impacting the global economy, causing losses to both industry & government, and most importantly affecting the health and safety of the consumers adversely.
The training was inaugurated by Mr K Jagadeesan, Jt. Commissioner of Police-Training, Delhi Police.
Jagadeesan 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.
http://www.smetimes.in/smetimes/news/top-stories/2018/Nov/22/illicit-trade-ficci-cascade41551.html
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Bengal Man Arrested With 26 Gold Biscuits In Artificial Kneecap.
12, November 2018 | NDTV
The Border Security Force on Monday seized gold biscuits worth Rs. 95 lakh from the Indo-Bangladesh border area of West Bengal’s Nadia district and arrested a gold smuggler, a BSF officer said.
Acting on a tip-off, the BSF troopers conducted a raid near border outpost Mustafapur in Nadia district’s Krishnanagar area and arrested one Indian national with the smuggled gold biscuits.
“Lokman Pal, 47, of North 24 Parganas district’s Gangulia village was arrested with 26 gold biscuits worth Rs. 95.16 lakh while he was returning after talking to a Bangladeshi national near the international border fence,” said Rabi Ranjan, a senior officer of BSF’s South Bengal frontier.
“The accused had the gold biscuits hidden in an artificial kneecap on his right leg. He has been handed over to Bagda police station along with the seized consignment for further legal action,” he said.
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