New Delhi | 11 February 2026 : India has significantly deepened its international enforcement cooperation to combat the growing threat of transnational smuggling, with 42 Mutual Customs Cooperation Agreements (MoUs) already signed and 21 more under negotiation with key trading partners, senior officials of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) announced on Tuesday.
Addressing the 5th Edition of Anti-Smuggling Day organised by FICCI CASCADE in New Delhi, Mr Mohan Kumar Singh, Member (Compliance Management), CBIC, said smuggling has transformed into a highly organised, technology-driven economic crime with serious implications for national security and economic stability.
Massive Seizures Highlight Scale of Threat
Mr Singh revealed that during the first three quarters of the current financial year, Indian enforcement agencies seized:
- ~500 kg of gold
- ~150 million sticks of illicit cigarettes
- Over 20 metric tonnes of red sanders
- ~120 kg cocaine, ~50 kg heroin, ~350 kg amphetamines
- ~3,700 kg hydroponic cannabis at airports
- More than 100 wildlife trafficking cases
- Arms, ammunition, drones, dual-use goods and fake Indian currency
“Smuggling syndicates today are commodity-agnostic and digitally agile, exploiting technology, anonymous financial channels and cross-border coordination. Enforcement must shift from isolated seizures to network-based disruption, targeting financial flows and logistics enablers,” Mr Singh emphasised.
He added that Customs, as the first line of defence at India’s borders, is increasingly deploying risk-based inspections, non-intrusive scanning, advanced cargo screening and AI-driven analytics. Recent Union Budget announcements on AI-powered image analytics and expanded container scanning are expected to further strengthen enforcement, alongside GST simplification and customs reforms to promote compliance.
Call for Global Anti-Smuggling Coalition
Highlighting the need for collective international action, Mr Anil Rajput, Chairman, FICCI CASCADE, said combating smuggling cannot be the responsibility of a single country or institution.
“Recognition of an International Anti-Smuggling Day by the United Nations would create a powerful global platform to enhance cooperation, intelligence sharing and deterrence against illicit trade. India is well placed to champion this initiative,” he said.
Mr P C Jha, Advisor, FICCI CASCADE and Former Chairman, CBIC, noted that Anti-Smuggling Day is a structural necessity, not a symbolic observance. “Today’s illicit trade thrives on organised networks, misuse of legitimate trade channels and digital platforms. Enforcement must dismantle the financial ecosystems sustaining smuggling,” he said.
Illicit Trade’s Economic Cost
FICCI CASCADE’s evidence-based research highlights the scale of the challenge. A 2024 CASCADE study estimated India’s illicit market at nearly ₹8 lakh crore in 2022–23 across key sectors. Earlier findings showed unlawful trade led to the loss of 15.96 lakh legitimate jobs in 2019–20, underlining the severe economic and employment impact.
High-Level Panels & Youth Engagement
The observance featured two high-level panel discussions on strategic enforcement and cross-border cooperation, bringing together senior officials from Customs, Enforcement Directorate, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, armed forces and international organisations including United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
A key highlight was the Digital Art Competition – “Stand Against Smuggling”, which received over 10,000 entries from across India, reflecting strong youth engagement and growing public awareness against illicit trade.
Launched on 11 February 2022 as a global first, Anti-Smuggling Day has evolved into a major policy and enforcement platform, uniting government, industry, international bodies and civil society to combat the expanding menace of illicit trade.
