The Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley asked the Customs officials to use latest technology to gather and analyze intelligence information relating to any illicit transaction across the border. He stressed on the need for exchange of information by the officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) with other intelligence agencies and development of their potential to analyse it critically and minutely before hitting the final target. The Finance Minister Shri Jaitley was addressing the officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence(DRI) and other Customs officers after inaugurating the two-day ‘2nd Regional Customs Enforcement Meeting’ organized here today by DRI to commemorate its Founding Day. The Finance Minister Shri Jaitley further said that in an era of free trade and trade liberalization, there is need for global and international cooperation and sharing of intelligence information among the countries especially among the neighboring ones in order to control the illicit movement of goods across border. He said that officers need to be trained in order to read between the lines and be fully equipped to handle the latest technology tools efficiently and effectively in order to keep pace with the techniques used by the tax evaders who always try to exploit the loopholes/gaps in the law.

The DRI Founding Day function was also attended by Dr. Hon’ble Justice Arijit Pasayat, former judge of the Supreme Court and Vice Chairman, Special Investigating Team (SIT), Shri Shaktikanta Das, Revenue Secretary, Chairman and Members of CBEC, CBDT, DG, NSG, DG,CISF, senior officers of DRI, CBEC and Ministry of Finance among others. This two-day Meeting is also being attended by the Heads of Customs & Enforcement Department from neighbouring countries including Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

During the two day Meeting, the discussions will be focused on common areas of concern relating to enforcement including issues relating to smuggling of Fake Indian Counterfeit Notes (FICN), issues pertaining to country of origin certificate, drug trafficking, smuggling of gold and sharing of SAARC-CMAA experiences among others. The participants will also have a field visit to Air Cargo Complex and IGI Airport in the national capital.

Earlier speaking on this occasion, Shri Shaktikanta Das, Revenue Secretary said that he is sure that DRI would continue to perform keeping in view its past performance and tradition to control smuggling of goods across border and take punitive action against the offenders. He asked the officers to focus on trade based money laundering. He asked the customs and DRI officers to work in a non-intrusive manner so that legitimate movement of goods and services across border and within the country is not adversely affected. Those who are doing trade in a legitimate and fair manner should be encouraged and be treated in friendly manner, the Revenue Secretary added.

Earlier the Finance Minister also released a film on DRI. A Special Message from the President of India on this occasion was also screened.

Shri Najib Shah, Director General, DRI assured the dignitaries present that DRI would continue to perform as a specialized agency in an efficient and effective manner keeping in view its high traditions and glorious achievements of the past. He said that officers and staff of DRI are fully dedicated and committed to their job which includes prevention of smuggling of not only gold, silver, narcotics and drugs, but also of Fake Indian Counterfeit Notes (FICN), endangered species of flora and fauna and illicit arms among others.

Use of technology in customs intelligence to enhance cross-border enforcement, information sharing and train officers to analyse threats effectively. The Finance Minister directed Customs and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence to adopt latest technology and build analytical capacity for gathering and critically analysing intelligence, and to enhance structured information exchange with domestic agencies and neighbouring countries to detect illicit cross-border transactions. Priorities include combating smuggling (counterfeit currency, gold, narcotics), verifying country-of-origin documentation, and countering trade-based money laundering, while implementing non-intrusive enforcement that protects legitimate trade.