FICCI CASCADE hosted a Twitter Space session on March 29, 2024, featuring Mr. Rajiv Ranjan Verma, IPS, ex-Director General of Railway Protection Force, BPR&D, National Crime Record Bureau, and Civil Defense, Home Guards, and Fire Services. The session focused on ‘Addressing Challenges: Combating Illicit Trade and Terror Funding.

Mr. Verma provided insightful perspectives on the significant challenges law enforcement agencies face in combating illegal trade and its connection to funding terrorism, highlighting the complexities posed by sophisticated smuggling networks and evolving financial transaction methods. He stressed the importance of grassroots-level law enforcement in addressing these issues effectively, emphasizing the critical role of local efforts in dismantling intricate networks and blocking funds from reaching terrorist groups.

Additionally, he explored several strategies for strengthening enforcement effectiveness, including leveraging technology for surveillance and intelligence gathering, promoting international collaboration, and enhancing law enforcement agencies’ capabilities through training and resource allocation. International cooperation and information sharing are crucial in addressing the global dimensions of illicit trade and its ties to terror financing. Through cross-border collaboration, law enforcement agencies can exchange vital intelligence and coordinate efforts to disrupt illicit trade networks and trace funds to terrorist organizations. He highlighted that such collaborations foster a deeper understanding of global illicit trade routes and financial networks, facilitating more efficient enforcement actions and joint investigations, and ultimately enhancing the ability to combat the transnational challenges posed by illicit trade and terrorism. Mr. Verma also highlighted specific instances where successful strategies were utilized to dismantle illicit trade networks and cut their connections to terror financing. Through precise intelligence operations and coordinated military efforts, security forces dismantled pivotal networks engaged in smuggling arms, narcotics, and other illicit commodities, effectively severing their links to financing terrorism.

In conclusion, Mr. Verma emphasized the crucial role of organizations such as FICCI CASCADE in combating illicit trade through research, advocacy, and awareness initiatives. Organizations like FICCI CASCADE, collaborate with governments, law enforcement, and various stakeholders to identify and address the economic, social, and security implications of illicit trade. By developing policy suggestions and practical solutions, they contribute to mitigating this widespread problem.

Additionally, attendees engaged in a constructive dialogue, exchanging innovative ideas and strategies to curtail illicit trade and protect global socio-economic interests.

The online event attracted enthusiastic participation, drawing a worldwide audience of over 27,000 attendees.