Gold seizures double, raise fears of rise in smuggling.
Gold smuggling seems to be on the rise as seizures by the Customs Department has doubled in one year.
According to data compiled by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the total quantity of gold seized by the Customs in 2017-18 was 3,223 kg valued at ₹974 crore, an increase of 103 per cent from 1,422 kg valued at ₹472 crore seized in 2016-17.
Unofficial estimates suggest that seizure forms any thing between 5 and 10 per cent of the total illegal trade. Considering this, smuggling of gold could be up to 30 tonnes during the last fiscal with a value of over ₹9,000 crore. The agency is taking all steps to check innovative ways of smuggling.
According to the publication ‘Smuggling in India Report 2017-18’ by DRI, a large part of the domestic gold market is being served by the illicit smuggling of gold. Majority of seizures made by the DRI has been those imported through India’s land borders in cities such as Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi, which are high consumption centres of smuggled gold.
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Three men suspected of smuggling 870,000 contraband cigarettes granted bail.
Three men suspected of smuggling some 870,000 contraband cigarettes, who were arrested by the police in the Fekruna area last month, have been granted bail.
James Azzopardi and James Spiteri both from Qormi and Redeemer Camilleri from Marsa stand accused of the importation and possession of smuggled contraband cigarettes, as well as tax and duty evasion.
Azzopardi alone is accused of possessing an unregistered boat and of breaching bail conditions imposed on him last July.
This afternoon, Inspector Mark Mercieca from the Drug Squad testified about the events leading up to the arrests on November 8 when police, acting on a tip-off, had started covert surveillance of a boat which Azzopardi kept at a private compound at Hal Farrug.
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$1.7 Million in Counterfeit Nike Sneakers Seized en Route to California.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Port of Newark and New York seized more than 9,000 pairs of counterfeit Nike sneakers on their way to California. The shoes, if authentic, would have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,695,600.
The shipment was intercepted in September en route to an address in Chino, Calif., from Dongguan City, China, and CBP says that agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement are continuing to investigate the case.
It won’t be the first time the agency is looking into Nike counterfeiters: In August, it charged five Queens, N.Y., residents with conspiring to traffic in more than $70 million worth of Air Jordans, charges that have a maximum prison sentence of 20 years each.
https://footwearnews.com/2018/focus/athletic-outdoor/nike-counterfeit-sneakers-seized-1202714529/
Lear MoreThree 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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