Customs to play imp role in fighting new-age crime: FM

New Delhi, Jan 25 (UNI) Cautioning Customs officials against the growing threat to the economy from money laundering, circulation of pirated products and narco-terrorism, Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram today said they had an important role to play in countering the ''new-age menace''.

Besides defeating economic policies and undermining developmental goals, counterfeiting and piracy, due to their nexus with money laundering and terrorism, posed a threat to the country's sovereignty, Mr Chidambaram said at the investiture ceremony of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC).

''The increasing nexus between Customs offences and other serious crimes, particularly narco-terrorism, casts unprecedented responsibility on the Customs due to the changed nature of Customs operations and Customs offences,'' he said.

CBEC chairman V P Singh said from duty evasion to narcotics smuggling, money laundering and currency counterfeiting, new-age crime had taken ''giant leaps'' and the Customs was gearing itself to deal with them through adoption of modern systems like IT, Advance Passenger Information Systems (APIS) and Automated Clearance of Courier Consignments ((ACCC).

Member, Customs Devendra Dutt, while seeking international cooperation in the implementation of Customs Laws, emphasised on capacity building and the need to meet the challenges of trade facilitation with enforcement.

The Finance Minister also gave away Presidential Awards for meritorious services to 30 personnel of the CBEC to mark International Customs Day and Central Excise Day.

While two personnel wre given the award for 'Exceptionally Meritorious Service Rendered by Officers by Undertaking Tasks Even at the Risk of Life', 28 others were chosen for 'Specially Distinguished Record of Service'.

UNI