Page 56 - DRI ANNUAL REPORT EBOOK

Bienvenidos Punta Cana!!!
The small but famous resort town of Punta Cana in Dominican Republic has become famous in the world of Customs for reason other than tourism. In December 2015, WCO’s Policy Commission issued the ‘Punta Cana Resolution’ concerning the security role of Customs. The resolution highlights that the Customs authorities are typically the first line of defence against transnational crime, terrorism and extremism.
The role of Customs has undergone a transformation in recent times.While the world woke up to the security role of Customs post 9/11 attacks in the US, the said role was always at the core of DRI’s functioning and still continues. From the days of Haji Mastan and Dawood Ibrahim trying to exploit India’s borders for anti-national activities to present day of proliferation of WMDs and dual use goods/technology across the international borders, DRI has been keeping a close vigil on the enemies of International Community in general and India in particular.
Smuggling by its very definition seeks to exploit the chinks in border security and border management of a country. It exposes critical gaps in the national security architecture which can be used for seemingly harmless activities like smuggling of commercial goods to smuggling of gold and in extreme cases smuggling of narcotics, explosives, dual use goods, arms and ammunitions.
WCO Security Programme
Passenger Controls/FTFs (API and PNR)
IEDs (Global Shield)
WCO Border Security Initiative
Information and Intelligence Centre
Security Project Fund
Strategic Trade (STCE Programme)
Small Arms and Light-Weapons (SALW Project)
Terrorist Financing
Figure 1: The World Customs Organization (WCO) Security Programme
22 SMUGGLING IN INDIA REPORT 2019-20