Page 87 - SMUGGLING IN INDIA REPORT FOR 2020-2021

was being transported between two foreign countries, with India being used as a transit point. Effective action and inter-agency cooperation resulted in interdiction of such goods and ensured that Indian ports were not used as transit points for illicit trade in dual-use goods and technologies.
In one such case, Titanium forgings-which could be used in the manufacture of inter-continental ballistic missiles - were transiting India while being transported between two forgings countries. These forgings were seized in December 2020. The goods were notified in the SCOMET list and were liable for confiscation under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act 1962, read with the WMD Act, 2005. Swift action and
Figure 3: Titanium Forgings seized by Customs
inter-agency cooperation between Customs, DRI and technical experts ensured that the consignment was intercepted, identified, and seized as per the law.
CHAPTER 3: ROLE OF CUSTOMS IN NATIONAL SECURITY 41
Conclusion
The changing role of Customs, particularly in the field of national security requires precise and technology-driven enforcement interventions and strategies. As India’s stature in the international community grows, DRI is collaborating with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that non-state actors and elements inimical to the interests of India are not able to exploit India’s growing trade volume for their criminal and evil designs.