New Delhi: Anil Rajput, Chairman of FICCI CASCADE, has urged the United Nations to designate February 11 as “International Anti-Smuggling Day” to strengthen global awareness and cooperation against illegal trade activities.
Speaking at an event in the national capital, Rajput highlighted the growing scale of smuggling both in India and internationally. He said declaring a dedicated global day would help mobilise countries to collectively address the menace and amplify awareness efforts worldwide.
Experts at the event noted that India has signed 42 Mutual Customs Cooperation Agreements with various nations and is currently negotiating 21 more with key trading partners, significantly strengthening the country’s global enforcement network against smuggling.
Mohan Kumar Singh, Member (Compliance Management) at the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), stressed that enforcement strategies need to move beyond isolated seizures to dismantling entire smuggling networks. He said authorities must focus on disrupting financial channels, logistics support systems, and international connections that sustain illegal trade.
Singh also pointed out that smuggling has transformed into a highly organised and technology-driven economic crime that poses serious threats to national security and economic stability. Referring to provisions in the recent Union Budget, he said AI-based image analytics and expanded container scanning at major ports would further enhance enforcement capabilities, while GST simplification and customs reforms would help encourage compliance and reduce incentives for illicit trade.
He highlighted enforcement achievements during the first three quarters of the current financial year, including seizures of around 500 kilograms of gold, nearly 150 million illegal cigarette sticks, more than 20 metric tonnes of red sanders, about 120 kilograms of cocaine, around 50 kilograms of heroin, approximately 350 kilograms of amphetamines, and nearly 3,700 kilograms of hydroponic cannabis at airports.
With inputs from IANS