Indian Intelligence organises customs meet with Asian countries, keeps Pakistan out

There will be a two day customs meet regarding a common strategy to prevent organised crime like narco-terrorism, money laundering and gold smuggling and the heads of Customs of at least 21 countries will be in attendance of this meet. India however did not extend an invitation towards Pakistan in a bold move. The meet will start on Tuesday, December 4.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials are organising the event and will hold discussions with the representatives from South, South-East Asia, West Asia and other international organisations. The event is to be held alongside it 61st foundation day celebration. Representatives from the Interpol, UN Office for Drugs and Crime and the World Customs Organisation are few of the participants of this meet.

The DRI is the Indian government’s apex law enforcement agency and is responsible for countering frauds related to the export and import of goods for commercial use. It also counters organised crime such as the smuggling of many illegal items like arms, ammunition, narcotic drugs, counterfeit currency and gold.

The DRI is going to talk about the recent cases of smuggling arms and narcotics that were intercepted by them in Jammu and Kashmir’s Akhnoor sector. These cases highlight the linkage between drug trafficking and cross-border terrorism.

"In the last three years, DRI has busted several international drug syndicates, besides 18 synthetic drug factories, illicitly manufacturing fatal drugs such as Fentanyl, Ketamine, Methamphetamine, Mephedrone, Mandrax and Alprazolam," said a senior DRI official in a Times of India report.

"Mutual strategy to counter organised crime related to drugs, precious metals and stones, environment, wildlife, money laundering and black economy are among subjects to be discussed at the meeting," the official said.

The officer also stated that a direct interaction between Customs administration of other nations will “enhance cooperation and sensitise” other nations to address India’s concerns and ensure public safety and security.

At the event, India will seek help to isolate the rogue nations that are providing state backing to organised crime syndicates and narco-terrorism. This event is the first of it’s kind and India has invited the Customs’ heads of 21 nations to form a common course of action to counter organised crime.

The smuggling of precious metals and narcotics has a direct implication on black money and money laundering and according to the agenda it will be brought up at the discussion. The DRI has seized large quantities of heroin and gold that was being smuggled into India from Pakistan last year.