The newly-created Customs Preventive Commissionerate (CPC) here has its task cut out as far as smuggling of gold and other commodities of high value is concerned.
It is paying due attention to smuggling of gold through the railways and also national highways which are a safe conduit for moving the contraband inland. On top of its agenda now is establishment of Customs unit at Gannavaram airport which is being expanded to handle international flights in the near future.
Tip of iceberg
The major haul of gold at Visakhapatnam airport is considered a tip of the iceberg and the possibility of smuggling the yellow metal through the upgraded airport at Gannavaram is acknowledged by officials.
In an interview to The Hindu, CPC Commissioner S.K. Rahman observed that the department was largely focusing on air and seaports because those were traditional routes of smuggling but it was also aware of the fact that smuggling goes on through the railways and road.
But, the department could not do much to check smuggling through terrestrial means as it was a continuous exercise that requires huge manpower and other forms of logistical support.
Following are excerpts of the interview.
What are you doing to check the menace of smuggling of gold and other valuable commodities?
A. We are spreading awareness about the statute position (Customs Act) and consequences of violating the provisions thereof. It is at the same conducting raids whenever its trained network of informers sounds alarm on smuggling rackets.
What can be done to check smuggling of gold by road and railways?
We are closely working with the Railway Protection Force (RPF). We held meetings with RPF officers at Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Vijayawada, Ongole and Nellore recently.
But we cannot intercept vehicles-on-road unless we have intelligence inputs.
Fortunately, we have senior officers who had a stint in Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence.
Are you in touch with bullion traders whose cooperation is necessary for your Department’s performance?
We have conveyed the message that the law of the land has to be strictly followed, to the newly formed Andhra Pradesh Bullion Gold, Silver and Diamond Merchants’ Association which represents nearly 5,000 gold and silver merchants.
Are informers rewarded and their identity kept confidential?
We pay 20 per cent of value of a seizure to the informers.
We don’t even ask their names, we identify them with the help of their fingerprints and moles to earn their trust. It has been working well for nearly seven decades.
Which areas in the State are you focusing on?
We monitor all air and seaports and are vigilant through eight shore guard preventive units and seek the help of Navy, Coast Guard and the marine police of A.P.
