Agencies fear smuggled items may be used to induce voters, step up vigil

SHILLONG, Jan 27: The different enforcement agencies have stepped up their activities to thwart the smuggling of contraband items as three states in the Northeast, including Meghalaya, are going to polls.
The agencies fear the smuggled items could be used to induce voters.
Disclosing this, Chief Commissioner, CGST, Customs and Central Excise, Guwahati, Yogendra Garg, who is the Zonal head for Indirect Taxes in NER, told journalists in Shillong on Friday that the sharing of information is taking place not only between central agencies but also between state agencies.
“Some seizures have been made. Many things may be used to induce voters,” he said.
Admitting that narcotics, gold and foreign cigarettes are often smuggled in the region, he said the disturbing trend is drugs coming in large quantities.
“We have stepped up our activities and you will see some more seizures. Some have already been deterred due to interception,” Garg, who was in Shillong to celebrate the International Customs Day 2023, said.
Earlier addressing the occasion, Garg acknowledged the contribution of partner agencies such as BSF, Assam Rifles, ITBP, SSB and their counterparts from Bhutan and Bangladesh.
He awarded certificates of appreciation to officers and staff of CBIC, Assam Rifles and BSF in recognition of their meritorious work.
Commissioner of Customs (Preventive) Shillong, Abhilasha M Basaiawmoit said the International Customs Day, instituted by the World Customs Organization (WCO), is celebrated every year on January 26 by all the members.
India became a member of the WCO in 1971. As January 26 is the Republic Day, the Indian Customs celebrates the occasion on January 27. This year the theme of the International Customs Day 2023 is ‘Nurturing the next generation: promoting a culture of knowledge-sharing and professional pride in Customs’.