FICCI CASCADE Inter-School Competition on ZERO Evasion – ‘Fight Against Counterfeiting and Smuggling
FICCI CASCADE, as a part of its objective to increase awareness about the growing threat of counterfeiting and smuggling, is organising a youth event: “Fight Against Counterfeiting and Smuggling” on 6th August at FICCI, New Delhi. The programme will have interschool competitions among the students of the school of Delhi and NCR in the following/categories:
- Painting Competition
- Elocution Competition
- Creative Writing Competition
The objective of such competitions is to increase awareness among young children to fight the menace of fake and spurious goods. This in turn is also expected to inspire them to be socially responsible citizens. Over 50 schools and about 350 students from Delhi NCR and few other across India, participated in the competitions. The competitions were judged by Mr. Hem Pande, Former Secretary, Dept of Consumer Affairs, GoI, Mr. Sanjiv Tripathi, Former RAW Chief, Mr. P. K Malhotra, Former Secretary of Law and Justice, GoI and Mr. Deep Chand, Former Special Commissioner of Police, New Delhi and Advisor, FICCI CASCADE. Mr. Hem Pande in his opening remarks said that we are almost one fifth of the world population and therefore we have a huge market for consumer goods. Our concern as a society and as a consumer is that we should not buy any fake or smuggled product. He encouraged the students to make a change in the society by shunning fake products and saying no to smuggled goods. By this they will be our Young CASCADER’s – ambassadors to the world spreading awareness on the hazardous impact of smuggled and counterfeit products amongst consumers and citizens.
The winners are as follows:
| # | Name of the Competition | 1st | 2nd | 3rd |
| 1 | Elocution | Mannat Arora
Class: XII-C School: Blue Bells Model School, Gurgaon
|
Khyati Pareek
Class: XII-E School: Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh
|
Vidhi Bisht
Class: XII School: Nehru World School
Bhavya Pokhriyal Class: XII School: Queen’s Valley School, Dwarka
|
| 2 | Painting | Supriya Baital
Class: X C School: Birla Vidya Niketan, Pushpa Vihar
|
Vismit Kaur
Class: XI-D School: Spingdales School, Pusa Road
Shreyas Class: IX-D School: St. Columba’s School, Ashok Place
|
Pranav Sharma
Class: IX-A School: Don Bosco School Alaknanda
Pratishtha Dinkar Class: X-A School: A.G.D.A.V Centenary Public School Model Town
Shreya Mishra Class: XII School: The Future Kids School
|
| 3 | Creative Writing | To be announced later | ||
Capacity Building Programme for Police Officers on Prevention of Counterfeiting, Smuggling and Piracy (New Delhi)
Over some time now, trade in counterfeit, smuggled and pirated goods has developed into a substantial threat to the economy of our country and pose serious safety and security hazards to the society at large. Different government agencies are involved at various stages in tackling such crimes, right from detection, investigation, prosecution and prevention of these offences, often including the recovery of the proceeds of crime. The police department is the primary law enforcement agency in our country. With low barriers to market entry and infiltration, the police play a very significant role in ensuring the protection of right owners. There are adequate laws available but enforcement of the laws makes the role of police officers even more important in the fight against counterfeiters and smugglers.
FICCI CASCADE has been organizing capacity building programs for police officers in various states, focusing on economic offences such as counterfeiting, piracy and smuggling, equipping the officers to understand the laws and take requisite action against counterfeiters and smugglers. In pursuance of its agenda of sensitizing police officers on this issue, FICCI CASCADE organized a series of capacity building programmes for police officers on ‘Prevention of Counterfeiting, Smuggling and Piracy’ during June-July 2019 in Vizianagaram, Mysore, Chennai, Meghalaya and culminated it in New Delhi on 5th July, 2019.
A key objective of the program was to build capacities of the officials on seriousness of the socio-economic impact of counterfeited and smuggled goods and the practical aspects that has to be kept in mind by the officers while investigation of economic crimes. Over 250 police officers of the rank SIs, ASIs, DSPs, ACPs and DCPs participated in the training programme at Barakhamba Police Station, New Delhi.
Mr. Deep Chand, Former Special Commissioner of Police, New Delhi and Advisor, FICCI CASCADE, in his address informed about FICCI CASCADE’s mandate of capacity building of law enforcement agencies including Judges, Police and Customs Officers, and how CASCADE had been working extensively and intensively in this area nationally, organizing training programmes and seminars along with continuous interactions with the law enforcement authorities to emphasize on the importance of increased awareness on the gravity of the problem.
Mr. Chand correlated smuggling and counterfeiting activity with the security challenge in different environments around the world. He cited various instances where illicit trade in goods is being increasingly used to fund anti-social and terrorist activities. Mr. Chand also urged that need of the hour today was tangible actions to increase enforcement, and to impose increased punishments. This is imperative to reassure legitimate business owners and consumers that the government is serious about protecting right owners, and this will, in turn, encourage greater support for government policies.
While deliberating on the topic, some of the challenges for police in addressing such crimes that were highlighted are:
• Capacity in terms of skill, infrastructure and technology amongst the law enforcement is not adequate.
• Since the police officers are fully occupied with the investigation of property offences and crime they have little exposure to economic offences and special provisions contained in the enforcement of the IP laws. Hence, it is not a priority for police officers.
• Lack of knowledge of legal provisions related to IP laws. This is necessary for efficient investigation and successful prosecution.
• Majority of the Investigation Officers do not have requisite training and are not comfortable with the investigation that involves such offences.
Mr. Suvashis Choudhary, IPS, Additional Commissioner of Police, Economic Offence Wing, Delhi Police, chief guest at the programme said that, ‘”The fundamental work of the police is to safeguard life and property of the public, and to maintain law and order in the society. Counterfeiting and smuggling activities is a wire joint which encourages organized crimes. Traditional crimes like murder and terrorism are usually given importance however, economic crimes like counterfeiting and smuggling which affect our daily lives are not given due priority’. Mr. Choudhary thanked FICCI CASCADE for its initiative of sensitizing police officers on this pertinent issue and urged the industry to come forward and work collaboratively with the police to address this menace”.
The training session was also addressed by eminent lawyers, academicians and industry discussing on a wide range of concerns on the subject with the participating police officials. The programmes were supported by United States Patents and Trademark Office (USPTO). Mr. Timothy K. Browning, Attorney-Advisor, USPTO, Washington emphasized on the creation of a National Coordination Center to enforce IP laws and resolve issues arising out of this menace. He also said ‘‘USPTO stands for promoting strong and effective IP laws globally and we have collaborated with FICCI CASCADE to exchange best practices and new methods to counter crimes such as counterfeiting, smuggling and piracy.”
All speakers unanimously agreed on the fact that the existence and operation of smuggling, counterfeiting and piracy is not only broad in scope and large in value but is draining the global economy, causing losses to both industry & government, and most importantly adversely impacting the health and safety of the consumers. There is an urgent need to create communication, coordination and close cooperation amongst various government agencies, law enforcement officials and private sector to curb the growing scourge.
More than 40,000 illicit cigarettes seized from high street store.
More than 40,000 illicit cigarettes and nearly 5kg of rolling tobacco have been seized in a sting operation by Waltham Forest Council and HMRC. On first inspection of the 98p Plus Extra shop in Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, officers confiscated more than 11,000 cigarettes and 1.68kg of rolling tobacco which violated UK legal requirements for labelling and packaging tobacco products. During a later inspection, Waltham Forest Trading Standards discovered another 30,020 illicit cigarettes and 3.65kg of foreign rolling tobacco that violated tobacco products regulations. On June 13, Mr Salim Ahmed, director of Bismillah London Ltd, the company owning the shop, pleaded guilty at Thames Magistrates court to ten charges brought by Waltham Forest Trading Standards for the sale of illicit tobacco products. Mr Ahmed previously stated he received the tobacco from an unknown eastern European man who persuaded him to sell it to boost his profit margins and he said he had not inspected the cigarettes purchased.
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Customs officials seize US$61,450 worth of counterfeit goods on truck entering Hong Kong from mainland China.
Hong Kong’s customs officers have seized about 2,000 suspected counterfeit items, ranging from shoes and watches to sunglasses, worth about HK$480,000 (US$61,450). The Customs and Excise Department said in a statement on Tuesday that its officers intercepted a truck coming into Hong Kong from the mainland at the Man Kam To Control Point last Thursday. The contraband was found in the truck’s cargo compartment. The driver, a 58-year-old man, was arrested. “The investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further inquiries,” the department said. In Hong Kong, importing or exporting counterfeit items is a violation of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance. The maximum penalty is a fine of HK$500,000 and five years in prison. Counterfeit items are a common sight in shops and street market stalls across the city, particularly in tourist hotspots such as Temple Street.
Lear MoreMMEA Pahang foils attempt to smuggle in 2,000 cartons of cigarettes.
KUANTAN: The Pahang Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) foiled an attempt to smuggle 2,000 cartons of cigarettes worth RM300,000 including taxes in water off Kuala Rompin near here, last Friday. Pahang MMEA deputy director (operations) Capt V. Pannir Selvan said the Force 10– and Double 7– branded cigarettes were believed to have been abandoned at Pantai Batu 7, Kuala Rompin by two male suspects upon realising the presence of the authorities. He said the 11.30pm raid was carried out following six months of intelligence–gathering as well as tip–offs from the public. “Two men on a fiberglass boat were believed to be transferring the smuggled cigarettes into a lorry waiting at the roadside, but as soon as they realised the MMEA’s presence, the two men sped off in the boat. The MMEA boat pursued them, but could not catch up.
Lear MoreDRI: Gang smuggled Rs 1,000 crore gold in eight months till racket was busted.
MUMBAI: Directorate Revenue of Intelligence (DRI), probing the 110kg gold smuggling case, involving businessmen from Mumbai and Kerala, revealed that the gang smuggled more than 3,000kg of gold worth Rs 1,000 crore in eight months. A DRI official said the accused smuggled gold in 24 consignments from July last year to March this year, when the racket was busted and 14 persons were arrested. “During scrutiny, it transpired that the syndicate smuggled 3,396kg gold, which is one of the biggest seizures in recent years. Hence, the accused were detained under stringent sections of Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Act (COFEPOSA),” said a source. As Bombay high court said COFEPOSA was not applicable on technical grounds last week, DRI will move the Supreme Court on Monday. Officials said if the accused are released, they may smuggle gold again.
DRI has so far confiscated nine cars, Rs 2 crore, and 185kg gold worth Rs 60 crore. They will confiscate properties of the main players, Dubai businessman Nisar Aliyar, jeweller ‘Happy Dhakkad’, Manoj Jain, financier Ashfaq Shiningwala, hawala operator Aquil Fruitwala and Shoeb Zoradarwala. DRI is also writing to Enforcement Directorate as the accused have diverted proceeds of the crime to accounts outside the country too.
DRI busts gold smuggling racket, uncle-nephew duo arrested in Kolkata.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a “corporate type smuggling” racket and arrested a mastermind and his relative who were involved in many cases with the seizure of about 360 kg of gold worth over Rs 108 crore in the past five years, an official said on Wednesday. Taking a cue from the seizure of 8 kg gold, about 74 kg of silver jewellery and 3 kg of ganja with a cumulative value of Rs 3.31 crore from a bus plying from Siliguri to Kolkata, the DRI sleuths arrested the “uncle-nephew duo” who were instrumental in successfully ferrying huge quantity of smuggled gold from various bordering locations. “Four persons were arrested in the seizure of gold, silver and narcotics. Further investigations led to the apprehension of two more persons, including the mastermind and his relative, who were behind a series of cases in which about 360 kg gold valued at more than Rs 108 crore have been seized over the past five years,” a DRI official said.
Lear MoreCapacity Building Programme for Police Officers on Prevention of Counterfeiting, Smuggling and Piracy (Umiam, Meghalaya)
North Eastern Police Academy, Meghalaya – 29 th June, 2019
FICCI CASCADE in its series of capacity building programme for police officers organised a training programme on 29 th June 2019 in North Eastern Police Academy, Meghalaya on the ‘Prevention of Counterfeiting, Smuggling and Piracy’. A key objective of the program was to prioritize the issue of trade in illicit products and its socio-economic impact among the officers so that the practical aspects are kept in mind by the officers while investigating such economic crimes. 202 police officers participated in the training programme. Among the speakers who discussed the wide-ranging concerns on the issue of counterfeiting, piracy and smuggling with the participating police officials were: Mr. Deep Chand, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE and Former Special Commissioner of Police, New Delhi, Mr. Bhaskar Mukherjee, Partner, Lexprotector, Mr. Milind Palany, Senior Manager, Global Brand Protection, India & South Asia, Johnson and Johnson and Ms. Aindrila Biswas, Brand Protection Consultant, Eastern Region-India, Hindustan Unilever Ltd. The workshop was extremely helpful in sensitizing the police officers about the relevant laws and procedures to be followed while dealing with the cases related to smuggling and counterfeiting.
Key financier in Rs 60 crore gold smuggling racket held.
MUMBAI: Ashfaq Shiningwala (54), a key financier from Gujarat in a syndicate that smuggled 185kg gold worth Rs 60 crore, was arrested by Directorate Revenue of Intelligence (DRI). The Surat resident is the 14th person to be arrested in one of the biggest international smuggling rackets that DRI busted in March.
DRI had seized 110kg gold concealed in brass, imported from Dubai, but declared as scrap. The accused imported the gold, declaring it as scrap at Mundra and Jamnagar ports in Gujarat, and then got it here by road. DRI later seized another 75kg gold hidden inside a Honda car of Shoeb Zordarwala. The probe suggested that the accused in last two years had smuggled around 300kg gold. DRI had initially arrested seven persons, including Nisar Aliyar, the kingpin and proprietor of several companies in the US, Dubai and Kochi in Kerala. His accomplices were Shoeb, his son Ahad, Zaveri Bazaar jeweller Raju alias Monoj Jain, Kalpesh Nanda, an assistant of Aliyar, ‘Happy Dhakad’ and hawala operator Aquil Fruitwala. Also seized from the Zordarwalas’ residence was Rs 1.8 crore.
NIA special court sentenced two for 10 years in fake currency case
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) special court in Vijayawada on Wednesday sentenced two persons to 10 years rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs 30,000 for possessing Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN).On March 31 last year, sleuths of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested two persons from Howrah-Hyderabad East Coast Express at Visakhapatnam Railway Station for possessing fake currency with a face value of Rs 10.2 lakhs in the denomination of Rs 2,000 notes. The two accused belongs to Mandya district of Karnataka and were identified as Mohammed Mahaboob Baig alias Azhar Baig and Syed Imran.
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