Worrying increase in seizure of FICN, heroin, ketamine and Red Sanders wood.
Fake Indian currency seizure by DRI has seen a significant increase in the past few years, from Rs47 lakh in 2004-05 to Rs2.19 crore in 2008-09. “Detections made by DRI and other agencies indicate that different air routes and land borders with Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh are being used. Consignments of FICN (fake Indian currency note) have been seized while being smuggled into India from Pakistan, the UAE, Nepal and Bangladesh,” the DRI report says.
“They (Nepalese authorities) have also been playing a major role in seizure of FICN. They made two large seizures in 2008-09, having face value of Rs25 lakh and Rs50 lakh. An Indian and two Bangladeshis were involved,” DRI says.
Smuggling of Red Sanders wood, listed under Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species (CITES) of flora and fauna, is yet another major worry for the revenue intelligence officials.
The wood, grown in forest pockets of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, is in great demand in China, Japan and Germany. The wood is very popular for manufacturing furniture, musical instruments and toys. Its use is well known in the manufacture of Shamosin, a stringed Japanese musical instrument.
“These days, the wood is in great demand in China, where it is used to make incense, medicines, facial creams, fragrant furniture and other prized items,” the DRI report says.
Most smuggled consignments are bound for south east Asia and West Asia. Ketamine hydrochloride, known as “date rape drug”, is also smuggled. “In most detected cases, Malaysia was the intended destination. In a few cases the contraband was intended to be routed through Singapore. This year was particularly noteworthy for the biggest seizure of 201.6 kg of ketamine by the Chennai Zonal Unit from an export cargo,” DRI says.
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