On an action day conducted in Naples, Italy, on 14 August 2024, the Italian Carabinieri arrested a notorious money forger, dismantled his sophisticated counterfeiting print shop and seized nearly EUR 3 million in high-quality counterfeit banknotes. Collaborating closely with the French National Police, experts from the respective anti-currency counterfeiting units tracked down the criminal believed to be responsible for selling millions of euros worth of forged banknotes. Europol supported this investigation, which started in 2022 and has since seen the intelligence contributions from at least 10 countries reporting seizures of the same type of faked euro bills.
Meghalaya BSF seizes smuggled goods worth Rs 58 lakh in East Khasi Hills district
On August 18, alert troops of 4 Bn under BSF Meghalaya foiled a massive smuggling bid and seized cosmetics and clothing items worth rupees 58 lakhs while being smuggled to Bangladesh from the International border of East Khasi Hills district.
The consignments were seized by vigilant troops of BSF Meghalaya when the smugglers were trying to smuggle it into Bangladesh. However, on being challenged by BSF, miscreants fled away from the spot by taking advantage of inclement weather and darkness. The seized items were handed over to the customs office in Pynursla for further action.
Gold worth over ₹61 lakh seized at Kochi airport
The Customs unit at the Kochi airport on August 17 (Saturday) seized nearly one kilogram of gold with a market value of ₹61.92 lakh from a passenger.
The detained passenger was identified as Mubeen, a resident of Bengaluru. She was arrested on her arrival from Kuwait.
Around 26 gold wires coated with steel color material covered with plastic insulation material and concealed inside artificial flowers were seized along with five silver-coated gold rods concealed inside screwdriver handles.
KARACHI: The Enforcement Collectorate’s Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) has seized a substantial quantity of smuggled auto parts worth millions.
Acting on confidential intelligence received by Collector Customs Enforcement Karachi, the ASO team conducted raids on several warehouses on the ground floor of Aero Market in Sadar.
The operation resulted in the seizure of approximately 30 tons of smuggled auto parts, estimated to be worth Rs 20 million. The confiscated items reportedly include parts for five Mazda trucks.
Following the successful raid, the seized goods were transferred to the ASO’s warehouse for further examination. A case has been registered under the Customs Act, and investigations are under way.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40317386#:~:text=Acting%20on%20confidential,are%20under%20way.
INTER-SCHOOL COMPETITION ZERO-EVASION: The Role of Youth in Making India Free from Smuggling and Counterfeiting
12th August 2024 | New Delhi
FICCI CASCADE is committed to empowering our nation’s youth by increasing their awareness and understanding of counterfeiting and smuggling. The goal of this engagement is to develop effective strategies to combat the growing challenges of illicit trade.
To this end a youth awareness campaign titled “ZERO-EVASION: The Role of Youth in Making India Free from Smuggling and Counterfeiting” was organized at the FICCI Federation House in New Delhi.
The campaign featured three competitive events: Poster Making, Elocution, and Jingle Writing. Over 650 students from 85 leading schools in Delhi and the NCR participated with enthusiasm. The impressive talent displayed by these young participants in addressing the serious issues of counterfeiting and smuggling was truly inspiring. The primary goal of these competitions was to heighten youth awareness and mobilize their support in combating illicit trade.
The competition commenced with insightful remarks from a distinguished panel. Mr. Sanjeev Tripathi, Former Chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), emphasized the importance of educating school children about the harmful effects of smuggling and counterfeiting. He highlighted that such initiatives are crucial for fostering awareness about illicit trade.
Mr. Anil Sinha, Former Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), stressed the broad economic and security threats posed by illicit trade. He noted the importance of educating young people to be vigilant and to avoid illicit goods and services, thus contributing to a society that upholds ethical practices.
Mr. P.K. Malhotra, Former Secretary of Law at the Ministry of Law & Justice, spoke about the detrimental impact of illicit trade on society and economic growth. He praised FICCI CASCADE for engaging school children in a creative way to spread the critical message of combating illicit trade.
The involvement of young people in tackling smuggling and counterfeiting is crucial for nurturing a more informed, alert, and proactive society. Their participation not only aids in addressing the pressing issues of illicit trade but also plays a significant role in fostering a more ethical and sustainable future.
The competition was adjudicated by an esteemed panel comprising Mr. Anil Sinha, Mr. Sanjeev Tripathi, and Mr. P.K. Malhotra. Their expertise and presence greatly enhanced the event, underscoring the importance of involving youth in addressing these urgent issues.
| Name of the Competition | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Special Jury Award | Special Jury Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elocution | Vaishnavi Singh Gurukul The School |
Sneh Shukla Ryan International School, Mayur Vihar |
Aesha Kashmiri KIIT world school |
||
| Poster Making | Bharvi Nayak Kalita Bal Bharti Public School, Gangaram |
Disha Sharma Maharaja Agarsain Public School, Ashok Vihar |
Shruti Nambiar Suncity World School |
Anshika Puri Birla Vidya Niketan,Pushp Vihar |
Anaya Trivedi Mother Mary’s School,Mayur Vihar |
| Jingle Writing | Lavanya Dhyani ASN Sr. Secondary School,Mayur Vihar |
Manasavi Gupta Gurukul- The School,Noida |
Kartik Bhardwaj Birla Vidya Niketan,Pushp Vihar |
Vridhi Bajaj KIIT World School,Pitampura |
Media Coverage Zero-EvasionDownload Pdf
DRI busts a gold smuggling syndicate in Lucknow; six held with 10kg.
The arrested accused include two passengers, two ground staff members, the mastermind behind the smuggling syndicate, and his accomplice.
During the operation, officials seized 3 kg of smuggled gold valued at USD 213,000, along with 6,440 Thai Baht and INR 1,00,000, with a total estimated value of Rs 3.96 crore.
All six members of the syndicate have been arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.
Assam: Fake currency racket busted in Guwahati, printer seized
Guwahati: The Special Task Force (STF) of the Assam Police said that it bused an alleged fake Indian currency note (FICN) manufacturing unit in Guwahati’s Boragaon area.
During the operation, the police arrested one person and seized a large quantity of counterfeit cash and gold.
A police source said that acting on a tip-off, the STF team raided the residence of Abhinah Sarkar (28) in Debkota Nagar, Pachim Boragaon, and recovered a fake currency printing machine.
Tripura: Brave BSF Mahila Constables Foil Smuggling Attempt at India-Bangladesh Border.
In a courageous act of vigilance, two alert BSF Mahila Praharis foiled a major smuggling attempt along the Indo-Bangladesh border in the Kamlasagar area of West Tripura on the night of August 8-9, 2024. The Mahila Praharis, deployed in a night ambush, noticed suspicious movement near the border fence and quickly alerted nearby troops, intensifying surveillance in the area.
This incident underscores the dedication and bravery of BSF Mahila Praharis in safeguarding India’s borders. IG Tripura Frontier, Piyush Purushottam Das, IPS, commended the heroic actions of the Mahila Constables, reiterating the BSF’s commitment to preventing trans-border crimes. Currently, more than 800 Mahila Praharis are stationed in Tripura, exemplifying the strength and capability of women in border security operations.
DRI arrests man with gold worth over Rs 1 crore at Hyderabad airport.
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], August 11 (ANI): The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 1,390.85 gm of gold from a passenger at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), said the agency on Sunday. According to DRI, the gold was being smuggled from Dubai to Hyderabad by the passenger travelling on flight number EK-528 on August 9 .
The officers of DRI intercepted the suspected passenger at the exit area of the Inter national Arrival Hall, RGIA. In the search, two yellow-coloured large metal bars in the shape of batteries were found in his left shoe and in his back pack. And a yellow-coloured metal chain was also recovered from him, according to the DRI.
Gujarat FDCA seizes illegal ayurvedic products worth Rs. 11.60 lakhs in a factory in Surat
In a decisive action against illegal manufacturing practices, the Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) raided a factory in Surat’s Olpad area producing ayurvedic products without a license. The raid resulted in the seizure of goods worth Rs. 11.60 lakhs, according to FDA Commissioner Dr H G Koshia.
During the raid, FDCA officials discovered 15 samples of suspicious quantities, which were subsequently seized. The factory, operated by Jogi Herbal Pvt. Ltd., was found to be manufacturing various ayurvedic medicines, including Kavath, Churna, and joint relief oil, without the necessary permits and licenses. The factory was immediately sealed, and production was halted.