New Delhi, Dec 4: Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Chairman Vivek Chaturvedi on Thursday warned that the threat of narcotics smuggling in India remains persistent, with transnational syndicates increasingly exploiting courier services and e-commerce shipments to push synthetic drugs into the country.
Speaking at the 68th Foundation Day of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Chaturvedi urged officers to stay ahead of evolving smuggling tactics and continue leveraging advanced data analytics to detect and anticipate trafficking patterns.
Detailing recent operations, he said the DRI last year seized 65 kg of cocaine, 225 kg of methamphetamine and nearly 9 tonnes of ganja as part of its efforts to dismantle drug smuggling networks. Between April and October this year alone, DRI and Customs officials seized 3,029 kg of narcotics worth about ₹3,365 crore.
Chaturvedi also highlighted the growing challenge of gold smuggling, noting that syndicates are devising new concealment methods by misusing access inside airports and cargo-handling systems. In the previous fiscal, DRI seized 1,072 kg of gold valued at ₹785 crore, while in the current fiscal (April–October), 260 kg worth over ₹254 crore has been seized across 461 cases.
He said the agency continues to target smuggling networks operating through maritime routes, offshore supply chains, and other covert channels, reaffirming DRI’s commitment to combating organised contraband trade.