The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the apex anti-smuggling agency of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), celebrated its 66^th Foundation Day at Gift City Club, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

The celebration commenced with Chairman, CBIC, Shri Sanjay Kumar Agarwal inaugurating the function in the presence of Shri Rajiv Talwar, Member (Compliance Management), CBIC, Smt. V. Rama Mathew – Member (IT, Taxpayer Services & Technology), CBIC and Principal Director General, DRI, Shri Mohan Kumar Singh. The function was attended by senior representatives from Indian Law Enforcement Agencies and senior officials of CBIC including ex-DRI officers. The event was physically attended by more than 200 participants and was also streamed live through a digital platform.

 

 

 

The Chairman, CBIC released the “Smuggling in India Report 2022-23” which analyses trends in Smuggling, Commercial Frauds and International Enforcement Operations & Cooperation.

 

 

 

The Hon’ble Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in her message for DRI Day, lauded the professional excellence of DRI and its officers for their performance and commendable service in curbing the smuggling of contraband goods such as gold, narcotics, cigarettes and endangered wild flora and fauna. She complimented DRI and its officers, recognizing their courage, determination and tireless efforts and wished success in future endeavours.

 

The Hon’ble Minister of State for Finance, Shri Pankaj Chaudhary in his message appreciated the competence of DRI in breaking the nexus of organised groups and in apprehending them in compliance with law of land. He congratulated Officers of DRI for their  dedication and commitment towards combatting tax evasion and smuggling. He expected DRI to continue to fulfil its important role of safeguarding the economic interest of country.

 

The Chairman CBIC, Shri Sanjay Kumar Agarwal congratulated DRI and its officers for outstanding job in executing its mandate complementing its lean size with highly skilled officers, technology, data analytics and collaboration with other law enforcement agencies. Chairman emphasised to develop technical expertise in terms of forensics by having larger network of forensic science lab and qualified personnel in India. Chairman elaborated the new trends of smuggling adopted by smugglers and appreciated that DRI has enhanced its technology and data analytics skills to counter the menace of smuggling. The Chairman appreciated successful  organisation of the global conference by DRI on the theme “It takes a network to fight a network” and emphasised that interagency cooperation increases the strength manifold in combatting organised criminal syndicates with global footprints.

Member (Compliance Management), Shri Rajiv Talwar congratulated the DRI fraternity for successfully completing 66 years with a distinguished record while cementing their position as one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the country today and wished that DRI will continue to scale new heights of excellence.

Principal DG, DRI, Shri Mohan Kumar Singh while welcoming the dignitaries presented a report on DRI’s performance in the previous financial year. During the year 2022-23 total of 522 smuggling cases were booked involving total seizure of Rs. 11500 crores which includes seizures of 1300 kgs of Heroin, 150 kgs of Cocaine, 250 kgs of Methamphetamine, 25 MT of Ganja, 1450 kgs of Gold. Also 4500 Crores of custom duty evasion was detected out of which 1800 Crores has been voluntarily paid by such evaders. Towards expeditious conclusion of investigations and timely launching of prosecutions, DRI launched a drive and concluded investigations in 944 cases and initiated prosecution in 375 cases in 22-23.

 

On this occasion, the “Veerata Prashasti Patra” for the year 2023 was bestowed upon (1) Shri Wazim Mustafa, Deputy Director of Guwahati Zonal Unit, (2) Shri Bala Murugesan R, Senior Intelligence Officer of Chennai Zonal Unit (3) Shri Kamatchi Anand K, Senior Intelligence Officer of Chennai Zonal Unit and (4) Shri Aman Kumar, Intelligence Officer of Delhi Zonal Unit for their exemplary act of bravery in combating organised smuggling.

 

 

 

 

 

On this occasion, DRI was honoured to felicitate Shri Sukumar Shankar

ex DG DRI and ex Chairman CBIC for his Utkrisht Seva.

 

On this occasion, the 12^th edition of “Rajasva Prahari” a hindi publication highlighting the article and poems written by officer of DRI was also released by Chairman, CBIC on this occasion.

The inaugural function concluded with the “Vote of Thanks” by Shri Samir Bajaj, Additional Director General, DRI, Ahmedabad Zonal Unit.

 

CB/GP/JD

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