Youth Awareness Programme: ZERO -EVASION
Date: 17th August 2022 | FICCI, New Delhi
Over the years, FICCI CASCADE is working on creating awareness on tackling the problem of smuggling and counterfeiting which is a serious menace to public health and safety. Along with policy makers, industry, enforcement officials and media, we have also been working closely with the youth in our fight to address this issue through various interschool and intercollege competitions and programmes.
FICCI CASCADE believes that it is important to bring the youth onboard the awareness campaign and through them influence the society as a whole. It will help in empowering and strengthening them to act for national development and will also help in shaping the future of our country in a brighter and more prosperous manner.
In our endeavour, to sensitize the young minds on the need to work together to address the growing hazards posed by counterfeiting and smuggling, FICCI CASCADE is organizing a Youth Awareness Programme on “Ill effects of Smuggling & Counterfeiting on the Country and the Role of Youth in Making India Free of Illicit Trade” on 17th August at FICCI, Federation House, Tansen Marg, New Delhi.
The programme will have competitions among the students of various schools from Delhi and NCR in the following/categories:
- Painting Competition
- Elocution Competition
- Creative Writing Competition
Media Coverage 17 August 2022, School EventDownload Pdf
Capacity Building Programme for Police Officers on Prevention of Counterfeiting and Smuggling
29 July 2022 | Karnataka Police Academy, Mysuru
The magnitude of the problem of counterfeiting, and smuggling is widespread which demands emphasis and priority of enforcement agencies. Capacity building is an ongoing exercise that plays an instrumental role in motivating and enabling the law enforcement agencies to understand the gravity of the problem and take requisite actions against the perpetrators.
There are adequate laws available, but enforcement of the laws makes the role of police officers very important to fight against counterfeiting, and smuggling.
Therefore, to combat the socio-economic evils of illicit trade from the society, which are risky parasites to the economy and cause danger to the lives of individuals, FICCI CASCADE is organising a training program to sensitize the police officers of Karnataka on 29th July 2022 at the Karnataka Police Academy, Mysuru
Media Coverage 29 July 2022 KarnatakaDownload Pdf
Capacity Building Programme for Police Officers on Prevention of Counterfeiting and Smuggling
6 July 2022 | Haryana Police Academy
Over the past few years, FICCI CASCADE has been working closely with government, industry, enforcement officials, legal fraternity, consumer organizations and the youth to create awareness on the adverse impact of the problem of counterfeiting and smuggling. Among other activities, FICCI CASCADE has been regularly engaging with law enforcement agencies including police, customs and paramilitary organizations engaged in border protection in sensitizing them on the gravity of the problem.
With this background, FICCI CASCADE (Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy) organized a Capacity Building Programme for Police Officers of Haryana on “Prevention of Counterfeiting and Smuggling” at Haryana Police Academy, Madhuban on 6th July 2022.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Dr Arun Kumar Singh, DIG, Haryana Police Academy stated that Haryana Police is taking significant actions to curtail the problem of illicit trade which is posing serious hazards to public health and safety. Dr Singh opined that lack of awareness in the society is shaping the dynamics of illicit trade. Imparting knowledge and raising awareness on the ill effects of counterfeiting and smuggling can go a long way to tackle it. He emphasized on the need for such training programmes, which not only sensitizes the officers on the magnitude of the problem but also helps them to understand the intricacies of smuggling and counterfeiting.
While giving an overview on Socio-Economic Impact of Counterfeiting and Smuggling, Mr Deep Chand, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE and Former Special Commissioner of Police, New Delhi said, “The grey market is fuelling illegitimate industry, leading to increased criminalization in the society. This capacity building program is aimed to sensitize the police officers on the importance of continued
awareness and seriousness of the impact of counterfeit and smuggled products.” He highlighted that as per the recent FICCI CASCADE study, in FY 2018-19, Indian economy loses Rs 1,17,253 crore due to smuggling in the five key sectors and total livelihood opportunities lost is 16.36 lakhs.
Mr Nitin Saluja, Senior Policy Manager, Customer Trust, Amazon India said, “Amazon is focused in mitigating fraud and abuse on marketplaces that hamper customer trust. Amazon has introduced several initiatives and have put in resources to make its marketplace a reliable and safe platform for customers, brands, and sellers to conduct transactions. He further added that Amazon is committed to promoting and participating in the efforts for ensuring that the consumers are empowered to enjoy the benefits of online shopping while being protected from the risks the digital era may present.
Mr Ashish Sawant, Assistant Manager, Global Brand Protection, APAC Region, Johnson & Johnson accentuated that counterfeit products have a detrimental impact on both the manufacturers and consumers. It poses severe risk to company’s reputation, brand image and negatively affect the consumers’ confidence in the global market. It also affects businesses and consumers alike by sowing mistrust in genuine products made by reputable brands, Mr. Sawant added.
Media Coverage 6th July 2022 HaryanaDownload Pdf
Assam Rifles seized foreign origin cigarettes at Champhai district
In yet another success in its crusade against smuggling activities, Serchip Battalion of 23 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of Inspector General Assam Rifles.
AIZAWL: In yet another success in its crusade against smuggling activities, Serchip Battalion of 23 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of Inspector General Assam Rifles (East), recovered foreign origin cigarettes in general area Zokhawthar along the Indo-Myanmar border of Champhai district on Tuesday.
The operation was carried out by a team of 8 Assam Rifles on specific information. The approximate cost of the recovered foreign origin cigarettes is worth Rs 91,00,000. The Custom Department Champhai seized the contraband items and detained one person for further legal proceedings, stated a press release.
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Capacity Building Programme for Police Officers on Prevention of Counterfeiting and Smuggling
Focus State: Tamil Nadu
FICCI CASCADE (Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy) organized a Capacity Building Programme for Police Officers of Tamil Nadu on “Prevention of Counterfeiting and Smuggling” at Tamil Nadu Police Academy, Chennai on 31st May 2022. The capacity building programme was organized with an aim to sensitize the police officers on the importance of continued awareness and seriousness of the impact of counterfeit and smuggled goods.
Dr. A Amalraj, IPS, Additional Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu & Director, Tamil Nadu Police Academy was the chief guest at the programme. Dr Amalraj while highlighting the menace of illicit goods said that such products are not only harmful for consumers but also incur huge losses to the government exchequer. He also emphasized on the need for such training programmes, which not only sensitizes the officers on the magnitude of the problem but also help them to understand the intricacies of smuggling and counterfeiting. He added that “Police is directly involved in stopping the circulation of illicit goods in the society.”
While giving an overview on Socio-Economic Impact of Counterfeiting and Smuggling, Mr Deep Chand, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE and Former Special Commissioner of Police, New Delhi said, “Capacity building in terms of skill, infrastructure and technology is essential for the law enforcement agencies in improving the detection and investigation mechanism of crimes relating to counterfeiting and smuggling.” Sharing data from a recent study by FICCI CASCADE, Mr Chand said, in the FY 2018-19 Indian economy saw a loss of Rs.1,17,253 crore and loss of 16.36 livelihood opportunities due to smuggling in five key sectors.
Mr Pradeep Dixit, Vice President, Industry Affairs, ITC Ltd mentioned that proceeds from the sale of counterfeit, smuggled and contraband products contribute to the funding of criminal activities all across the globe. It is vital that industry and enforcement officers work in close collaboration to address this mounting hazard.
Mr Nitin Saluja, Senior Policy Manager, Customer Trust, Amazon India discussed about Amazon’s efforts in mitigating fraud and abuse on marketplaces that hamper customers trust and how Amazon via its various initiatives puts in enormous resources to deliver on its established tenets and to make its marketplace a reliable and safe platform for customers, brands, and sellers to conduct transactions. He stated that amazon is committed to promoting and participating in the efforts for ensuring that the consumers are empowered to enjoy the benefits of online shopping while being protected from the risks, the digital era may present.
Mr. Ashish Sawant, Assistant Manager, Global Brand Protection, APAC Region, Johnson & Johnson emphasized that misspellings, font or print format differences, unprofessional looking packaging, poor print quality, holograms that appear as foil stickers are the major clues to identify illicit products.
Dr. R. Sivakumar, IPS, Deputy Director, Tamil Nadu Police Academy proposed vote of thanks and stated that significant actions are being taken by the officers continuously to put down the illicit trade activities posing serious risk to public health and safety.
FICCI CASCADE has been regularly engaging with law enforcement agencies including police, customs and paramilitary organizations engaged in border protection in sensitizing them on the gravity of the problem.
Pre-event Coverage reportDownload Pdf
Event Coverage reportDownload Pdf
Security forces foil attempt to smuggle contraband cigarettes worth RM1.04mil
TAWAU: The Armed Forces Joint Task Force 2 (ATB 2) foiled an attempt to smuggle 8,650 cartons of contraband cigarettes from a neighbouring country worth RM1.038mil under the integrated Ops Benteng patrol at Batu 3 here early Monday (May 30) morning.
ATB2 Commander Brigadier General Abdul Karim Ahmad said the Radar Coastal Surveillance Station (CSS) detected four suspicious speedboats moving from PulauSebatik towards Batu 3 at about 3.05am.
He said the Quick Reaction Force that was ordered to check the area came across a suspicious one-tonne lorry at 4am.
“The initial checks on the lorry found 8,560 illicit cigarettes, and the lorry which was used to bring the items from the neighbouring country to Tawau, Sabah, was abandoned after the smugglers realised the presence of security forces,” he said in a statement here today.
Abdul Karim said they believed that the syndicate involved locals and foreigners for the purpose of smuggling cigarettes to be sold in the black market around Tawau.
Lear MoreGold worth Rs 2.07 crore seized at Chandigarh airport
LUDHIANA: In another success for Customs Commissionerate Ludhiana in its anti-smuggling campaign, the officials of the department have seized gold worth Rs 2.07 crore which was being smuggled from Dubai to India via a flight that arrived at Chandigarh airport on Wednesday.
According to a statement issued by commissioner of customs Ludhiana, Vrindaba Gohil, “On May 25, 2022, the Indigo Flight No. 6E -56 from Dubai to Chandigarh, arrived at Chandigarh International Airport, Mohali at 4.30pm. The Customs airport officers intercepted a passenger based on profiling/intelligence done on APIS and detected 4 gold bricks of 1kg each kept by the passenger in his hand baggage (concealed inside white coloured towel) market value Rs 2,07,56,000. They said 4 gold bricks were seized by the Customs officers and the passengers were arrested. On the same flight, the Customs officers intercepted one more passenger based on profiling/intelligence done on APIS and detected 5 cut pieces of gold chain weighing 142 grams, market value of Rs 7,36,838, concealed in used clothes which were kept in red colored back pack carried by the passenger.”
Statement also said, “They said 5 cut pieces of gold chain were seized by the Customs officer. Further investigations are under process as per Customs Act 1962.”
“Since the start of International Flights from Chandigarh International Airport, Mohali, many cases of smuggling of Gold in the form of Biscuits/ Bricks have been detected by the alert Customs staff. Currently, Chandigarh airport caters to nine weekly flights to and fro Dubai and Sharjah, and the Customs officers have vide their alertness and agility thwarted several such attempts of smuggling of gold and other contrabands.
Lear MoreRs 15 crore foreign currency seized, 4 held at Mumbai airport
MUMBAI: In a major breakthrough, the customs department’s Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) has busted a foreign currency smuggling racket and seized currency valued around Rs 15 crore. Officials said this is one of the biggest seizures of foreign currency in the city in recent years and suspect the money could be meant to finance drugs, gold smuggling or be part of a hawala racket abroad.
This could be just a tip of the iceberg, said officials, while pointing to the lack of a screening machine at the customs counter in the departure area of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
Customs sources said the AIU team had been receiving intelligence that a big syndicate is actively involved in smuggling foreign currency on a regular basis. Based on specific intelligence and profiling of passengers, the AIU on Tuesday morning intercepted four passengers who were about to board an international flight. Officials detained the four, including a Sudanese woman, from whom they recovered US dollars valued around Rs 9 crore. “They failed to explain the source of so much foreign currency and were detained under provisions of the Customs Act. They will be produced before the concerned court on Wednesday,” said an officer.
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BSF arrests two Indian smugglers with Rs 6.15 crore gold
North 24 Parganas (West Bengal) [India], May 24 (ANI): The Border Security Force (BSF) apprehended two Indian smugglers with 74 gold biscuits and three gold bars worth over Rs 6.15 crore in two separate incidents from their border area.
The total weight of the seized gold is 11.620 kg and its value is approximately Rs 6,15,18,152. The smugglers were trying to take these gold biscuits from Bangladesh to India by dodging the security forces, stated the BSF.
In the first incident, on Monday, based on a specific input, troops of 179 Battalion BSF were checking vehicles at ICP Petrapole.
“At 11.15 am, troops stopped a truck which after unloading export goods, was returning to India from Bangladesh (Benapol) near the passenger gate at ICP Petrapole. During the search, a large packet wrapped in black cloth was found from behind the driver’s seat. On opening the packet, 70 gold biscuits and three gold bars were recovered. The total value of the seized Gold biscuits, bars and trucks was estimated to be Rs 5,98,54,165. Border Security Force troops soon seized all the gold biscuits, bars and the truck and also took the truck driver into custody for questioning”, said the official release.
Lear MoreAhmedabad: Student held with Rs 1.98 lakh in fake notes
AHMEDABAD: The city crime branch on Monday busted a fake currency notes racket with the seizure of 98 counterfeit notes of Rs 2,000 denomination with a face value of Rs 1.96 lakh, and arrested one person.
The accused, identified as Dilip Keshwala, 20, a computer engineering student, received the fake notes through courier and used them to buy mobile phones, gold and other items, according to a crime branch officer.
The sleuths seized 56 fake notes from Keshwala and 42 from a bank where these were deposited by a shopkeeper assuming the notes to be genuine, an official said.
The money collected after selling the mobile phones and gold etc., was then routed to the network through a courier service. The original currency notes received were to be sent to the accused in the form of bitcoins, the crime branch official said.
Keshwala got in touch with the network of people involved in the racket through an online portal while looking for a part-time job, he said.
“He was appointed as a service boy to whom the fake Indian currency notes would be dispatched through courier via an online portal,” the official said.
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