The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Kozhikode, in its silver jubilee year, is on a roll. Since inception, it has been instrumental in the seizure of huge quantities of contraband gold, silver, and narcotics in the State.
“Approximately 225 kg of gold was seized in the last two fiscal. The latest seizure of 11.3 kg was made on May 8,” B.G. Krishnan, Deputy Director, DRI, Kozhikode, told The Hindu here on Wednesday.
He said two of the biggest seizures in the State included 1,596 gold biscuits in Kannur in 1989 and 280 silver bars, valued at Rs.9.37 crore, from Aroor, Kochi.
“Then, a team led by John Joseph, the first Assistant Director, (presently Additional Director General, DRI, New Delhi), meticulously planned the operation. In fact, each case had a novel modus operandi,” he says.
Gold had been a major ‘item of seizure’ at the Kozhikode airport over the years following a lull in the market from 2000 to 2013, he said. “But its smuggling has come up again. The liking that the Dubai-based syndicates had for the west coast for smuggling in high-value contraband played a critical role in shaping up the operations of the directorate,” Mr. Krishnan, said.
Change in pattern
As the pattern of smuggling underwent a change from 1992, necessary changes were incorporated in the approach to offences involving contravention of Customs laws. This resulted in the DRI effecting seizures of huge quantities of gold and foreign currency from airports and air cargo complexes, especially from 1993 till 2000.
The DRI busted several syndicates involved in smuggling of fake Indian and foreign currencies.
Its teams recorded seizures worth Rs.21 crore from the Thiruvananthapuram Air Cargo Complex; Rs.1.87 crore from the Bombay Air Cargo Complex; Rs.1.46 crore from the Calicut airport.
Menace of drugs
The DRI had been in the forefront of combating the menace of drugs. The seizure of heroin valued at Rs.2.89 crore from the Calicut airport and Rs.5.5 crore from Kochi; 11 kg from two houses in Kozhikode; and 4 kg Iridium from Thiruvananthapuram airport were some examples, he said.
Other cases included the seizure of red sanders, star tortoise, saffron, snakes, and electronic goods from the three airports in the State.
“Now, we have a close liaison with organisations such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Interpol and enforcement agencies abroad on anti-smuggling matters,” Mr. Krishnan said.
225 kg of gold seized in the last two fiscal
Close liaison with other anti-smuggling agencies