Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday asked the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) to conduct holistic investigations, track entire smuggling chains, and take enforcement actions to their logical conclusion.
She also highlighted the importance of using modern technology, data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance enforcement capabilities and create a level-playing field for legitimate trade.
Speaking at a DRI event here, the FM also pointed to the growing threat of drug peddlers targeting schools and colleges across the country, emphasising the need for immediate action to prevent such incidents. She said that greater coordination and understanding between state officials and enforcement agencies is essential to address the issue effectively.
“Leverage all available information and data on an entity, on an individual, and their behavioural patterns to uncover deeper systemic risks and threats by connecting latent dots. The goal must be to dismantle the entire network and the syndicate, not just to intercept fragments,” Sitharaman said.
DRI is a key guardian of the nation’s economic frontiers, countering smuggling, drugs trafficking, illicit trade, and other threats.
“Do not view enforcement and facilitation as opposing ends of the spectrum. Investigate holistically, keeping the big picture in focus, not merely chasing isolated infractions,” she told DRI officers.
The goal is to move from compliance to a value-based compliance environment, thereby safeguarding economic and trade systems and strengthening national security.
Addressing the event, revenue secretary Arvind Shrivastava said officers should use advance technological tools to evaluate emerging threats from disguised supply chains, cross-border e-commerce and dark web.
“I would encourage DRI to dedicate resources for evaluating emerging threats from disguised supply chains, cross-border e-commerce, dark web, cryptocurrency misuse, synthetic drug movement, and misuse of digital platforms. DRI needs to move ahead with data-driven intelligence and use of advance technological tools. Innovation in enforcement must match innovation in crime,” Shrivastava said.
Last year, DRI seized 1,382 kg of gold in numerous operations in which key members of syndicates have been arrested and networks busted. It also seized 62 kg of heroin, 85 kg of cocaine, more than 10,000 kg of ganja and over 600 kg of synthetic drugs, including ketamine, methamphetamine and ecstasy, during the 2024.