Law enforcement can't exist in silos, inter-agency coordination needed: CBIC Chairman

The 66th Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) day was organised in Gujarat wherein discussions and statements were made on the philosophy of ‘Takes a network to fight a network’.

Law enforcement need not just happen in silos, agencies need to work in tandem to catch the masterminds, said Chairman, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and Special Secretary to the Government of India Sanjay Kumar Agarwal on Monday.

He added that, “We have had several such operations that show us how there needs to be a network and coordination of the agencies together to bust and expose smuggling networks.”

Agarwal further said, "In fact, I want to also acknowledge the agencies in the state of Gujarat and also NFSU that has been working in tandem for forensic laboratories and skilled professionals.”

He also added that there is a dire need for better and more scientific laboratories and skilled professionals in the entire ecosystem as well.

Moreover, an announcement of the MoUs signed were also announced to set up digital forensic laboratories in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Delhi as well to enhance the in-house facility of digital forensics.

He also cited some of the big cases of the busts that had been made by Gujarat ATS, in tandem with Indian Coast Guard and other agencies as well.

Aman Kumar, intelligence Delhi Zonal office, had busted a cocaine smuggling ring from Delhi airport that was being smuggled into the country via Brazil to India via Delhi airport.

Similarly, another officer named Bala Murgesan and Kamatchi Anand K in the Tuticorin unit had also detected a ring and had to jump in the water to chase and find a boat carrying smugglers.

Several awards had also been given to the officers who carried out exemplary service to the nation in various busts done by the DRI in tandem with other agencies and sometimes alone as well.

Awards for bravery were also given to officers from zonal units of Guwahati, Delhi, and Tuticorin as well.