Directorate of Revenue Intelligence

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is the apex anti-smuggling agency under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Government of India. For more than six decades now, DRI, with its presence across India and abroad has been executing the crucial and sensitive mandate of safeguarding Indian borders ensuring public safety. DRI is empowered under the Customs Act, 1962 to combat smuggling, including trade-based money-laundering and also under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 to counter the menace of narcotic drugs. Additionally, it also acts over fifty other allied statutes including The Weapons of Mass Destruction and their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, 2005, the Chemical Weapons Convention Act, 2000, Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA), The Arms Act, 1959, The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, The Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972, The Foreign Trade (Development & Regulations) Act, 1992 etc. It also implements India’s obligations under various international instruments such as those dealing with sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council, Convention on International Trade in Endangered species of wild flora and fauna (CITES), environmental crimes etc. It takes part in the coordinated global enforcement operations by the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and International Police Organization (INTERPOL).

Ever since its inception in 1957 and in the course of its functioning as the principal anti-smuggling agency in India, DRI has taken many measures to rapidly adjust to the challenges that come with changes in the economic, technological and threat environment. It uses scientific tools in the collection of intelligence and in investigations of cases such as data analytics, data mining, forensics etc. DRI works closely with various intelligence and security agencies under Cabinet Secretariat, Ministries of Home, Defence, Finance and also with paramilitary and border guarding forces to carry out anti-smuggling operations on land, air and sea. As a member of the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) for National Security, it has been collecting and disseminating intelligence relating to national security and terrorism. DRI is also a part of the National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC) in the Cabinet Secretariat. Further, DRI is part of the MHA and NIA’s Special wings to combat Terror Financing and Financing of Left Wing Extremism (LWE).

Over the years, DRI has registered a large number of cases pertaining to smuggling of contrabands goods having bearing on national security such as arms and ammunitions, narcotics drugs, Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN), Drones, strategic goods used for Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and forged currencies etc. DRI has also detected numerous cases of smuggling of gold and diamonds, narcotics, environmental crimes, wildlife, cigarettes and IPR infringements. Further, DRI as the nodal anti-smuggling agency, heads the RILO (Regional Anti-smuggling Coordination Centre) and also publishes the annual ‘Smuggling in India Report’. It documents cases of smuggling intercepted by DRI, Customs field formations and other border law enforcement agencies. It is of commitment to address illegal trade in environmentally sensitive goods and ozone depleting substances, DRI has been awarded the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Award in 2014.

DRI also has a strong presence in the anti-drug-trafficking setup. DRI’s seizure of 23.5 metric tonnes of Methaqualone (Mandrax) tablets from a clandestine factory in Rajasthan in the year 2016 was one of the largest seizures of this substance by an enforcement agency in the world.

DRI has also been assisting the SIT on Black Money and the Task Force on Shell Companies. It has played a major role in detection of cases of illicit funds transfer and trade-based money laundering and effected seizures of huge amount of the monetised currencies, thereby making significant contribution to the nation’s fight against black money.

On behalf of Indian Customs, DRI is also active in liaisoning with foreign Customs administrations and international bodies such as the WCO, UNODC and INTERPOL. Indian Customs has entered into 31 Customs Mutual Assistance Agreements or covering 62 Customs administrations. DRI, leads India’s delegation at DG Level talks with Heads of Customs of various countries including Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh and also with the enforcement heads of BRICS countries.

DRI has also been protecting the cultural heritage of India and has seized precious antiques and antiquities, while being smuggled out of the country. Many pieces of invaluable Indian antiquities were successfully brought back to the country, some of which were returned by the Governments of USA and Australia to the Prime Minister of India.

Apart from this, DRI carries out investigations, adjudication of cases and launching of prosecution in the courts and sends proposals for detention of hard core smugglers under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Act (COFEPOSA) and attachment of properties under the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act, 1976 (SAFEMFOPA) and Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA).

In the course of their duty, some officers of DRI have laid down their lives, suffered grave injuries and faced threats to their lives while fighting the organized crime syndicates, smugglers and drug mafia. The sacrifice and service of these officers have been recognized by the Government of India by decorating them with Kirti Chakra, Presidential Awards and DRI Martyrs’ Medals.