New Delhi: The threat of narcotics smuggling in India remains persistent as transnational crime syndicates increasingly exploit couriers, e-commerce shipments and maritime routes, CBIC Chairman Vivek Chaturvedi said on Thursday.
Speaking at the 68th Foundation Day of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Chaturvedi urged officers to stay ahead of emerging threats by leveraging advanced data analytics to predict smuggling trends.
He said DRI seized 65 kg of cocaine, 225 kg of methamphetamine and nearly 9 tonnes of ganja last year, and continues to dismantle drug networks. Between April and October this fiscal, DRI and Customs seized 3,029 kg of narcotics worth about ₹3,365 crore.
Chaturvedi also flagged gold smuggling as an evolving challenge, with syndicates using new concealment methods and misusing access at airports and cargo-handling facilities.
DRI seized 1,072 kg of gold valued at ₹785 crore last fiscal, while 260 kg valued at over ₹254 crore were recovered in 461 cases between April and October this year. (Agencies)
