Anil Rajput, Chairman of FICCI CASCADE, proposed designating February 11 as the ‘International Anti-Smuggling Day’ to combat the rising global smuggling issue. Rajput emphasized the need for the United Nations to raise awareness and unite countries against smuggling on this day. India’s efforts in signing customs cooperation agreements with trading partners have significantly bolstered its fight against smuggling.
Experts at a national event highlighted the need to move enforcement efforts from incident-based seizures to network-based disruption to combat smuggling effectively. Mohan Kumar Singh from CBIC stressed the importance of targeting financial flows and logistics enablers sustaining the illicit ecosystem. Singh noted that smuggling, now a technology-driven crime, poses a threat to national security and economic stability.
Singh pointed out that recent budget measures, such as AI-powered image analytics and enhanced container scanning at ports, will enhance enforcement capabilities. Simplification of GST and customs reforms will further encourage compliance and deter illicit trade. Notable enforcement achievements in the current financial year include seizures of gold, illicit cigarettes, red sanders, cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, and cannabis at airports.
