Need to nab global drug mafias; use AI, data-based mapping to catch gold smugglers: FM

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said the Department of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) needs to have a “visible approach” to bring the global drug mafias behind drug trafficking in India to book. Stressing on the need to nab the kingpins of global drug trafficking rackets rather than going just after the peddlers, FM asked the DRI to seek “greater access” to international co-operation and bilateral agreements with the fellow foreign agencies for better intelligence sharing on these matters.

Addressing the DRI day celebrations today, FM also pointed out that the DRI needs to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) and data-based investigation into gold smuggling in India, given the huge quantum of an average 800 kg gold being smuggled in India annually.  

Stressing that a significant amount of cocaine is now being smuggled in the country, Sitharaman said, “Is it because India is no longer a transit country for smugglers. Is it because India is now a consumer country for such substance? Would it help if we study what triggers it?”

Sitharaman said as of now we are catching the smaller operators while the big fish handling everything from remote is still at large. “Who are the big fish behind the drug racket? We are catching the peddlers, traffickers and mules. To gain public confidence that is not sufficient at all. To capture arrest and prosecute the smaller mules and carriers is important and necessary. But he is just a cog in the wheel. Are you able to bring the handlers behind such matters to face the law of the land?” Sitharaman said.  

Stressing on the need to bring the global drug mafias targeting India to the book, Sitharaman said, “Can there be a visible approach to bring to books the global mafia, who are sending and funding the mountain of prohibited drugs to the country. There is a need for greater access to international co-operation and co-ordination with the fellow global agencies on this.”  

Stressing that a significant amount of cocaine is now being smuggled in the country, Sitharaman said, “Is it because India is no longer a transit country for smugglers. Is it because India is now a consumer country for such substance? Would it help if we study what triggers it?”

Sitharaman said as of now we are catching the smaller operators while the big fish handling everything from remote is still at large. “Who are the big fish behind the drug racket? We are catching the peddlers, traffickers and mules. To gain public confidence that is not sufficient at all. To capture arrest and prosecute the smaller mules and carriers is important and necessary. But he is just a cog in the wheel. Are you able to bring the handlers behind such matters to face the law of the land?” Sitharaman said.  

Stressing on the need to bring the global drug mafias targeting India to the book, Sitharaman said, “Can there be a visible approach to bring to books the global mafia, who are sending and funding the mountain of prohibited drugs to the country. There is a need for greater access to international co-operation and co-ordination with the fellow global agencies on this.”