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What is the News?
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) recently conducted an Operation code-named “Molten Metal”.
What was the aim of Operation Molten Metal?
Operation Molten Metal was launched to nab several Indian and foreign nationals suspected to be indulging in smuggling gold into India from Hong Kong using the air cargo route.
What is the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)?
DRI is the apex anti-smuggling agency of India, constituted in 1957.
Nodal Ministry: It works under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), Ministry of Finance.
Mandate: To detect and curb smuggling of contraband, including drug trafficking and illicit international trade in wildlife and environmentally sensitive items, as well as combating commercial frauds related to international trade and evasion of Customs duty.
DRI has also been designated as the lead agency for the Anti-Smuggling National Coordination Centre (SCord).
Acts: DRI enforces the provisions of the Customs Act,1962 and over fifty other allied Acts including the Arms Act, NDPS Act, COFEPOSA, Wildlife Act, Antiquities Act etc.
| Central board of Indirect taxes (CBIC) is the nodal national agency responsible for administering Customs, GST, Central Excise, Service Tax & Narcotics in India. It is part of the Department of Revenue under Union Ministry of Finance. It is headquartered in New Delhi. |
Source: This post is based on the article “DRI seizes 85.535 kg gold, apprehends 4 foreign nationals in Operation” published by PIB on 20th Nov 2021.
