Foreign currency & gold: Intelligence-based operations to be conducted to combat smuggling

All intelligence/law enforcement agencies including customs would conduct intelligence-based operations to check smuggling of huge currency and gold cases at land border stations, airports and Pak-Afghan border following information received by Border Task Force on Anti-Money Laundering on smuggling of huge quantity of US dollars from Torkham.

Sources told Business Recorder here on Thursday that the decision of intelligence-based operations against smuggling of foreign currencies and gold at ports and airports has been taken during the 20th meeting of the Border Task Force on Anti-Money Laundering.

Border Task Force on Anti-Money Laundering has also alerted all agencies specifically Directorate of Cross Border Currency Movement (CBCM) about the ongoing smuggling of gold and foreign currencies from specific points of Pak-Afghan border. The special focus of the agencies for carrying out intelligence-based operations against smuggling of foreign currencies and gold would be Pak-Afghan border areas.

The Chairman of the Border Task Force on Anti-Money Laundering briefed the forum that he had received a credible information that huge quantity of US dollars are being smuggled out of Pakistan on regular basis from Torkham, due to non-availability of cargo scanner in the export sector. It was recommended that Collector Model Customs Collectorate (MCC) Appraisement and Compliance may be requested to apply risk management system of WEBOC in true letter and spirit at Torkham. Some of the export consignments that are placed in Red Channels of WEBOC system may be thoroughly examined to create deterrence at the station. Besides, it was also decided that Collector MCC Appraisement and Compliance may also be requested to hold a meeting with major exporters, transporters and customs agents to admonish them not to get involved in any such illegal activity and to warn them of serious consequences. Letter has been written to Collector MCC Appraisement and Compliance with the requests to implement suggestions of the forum regarding inclusion of risk parameters of money laundering in export consignments.

The Border Task Force on Anti-Money Laundering expressed its concern regarding the co-incidence of the meetings of the Provincial Task Force and Border Task Force. It was agreed that such overlapping would only decrease the productivity of these meetings. MCC Enforcement and Compliance Peshawar would issue a letter to the Secretary Home and Tribal Affairs Department KPK with the request to ensure that such overlapping is avoided in future.

The Chairman of the Border Task Force on Anti-Money Laundering directed the AC AML to draft a comprehensive letter for amendment in reward rules so that rewards may be given to the officers of sister agencies and informers. It was also expressed by the participants of the forum that absence of rewards is a serious impediment in making huge cases. The representative of the ANF informed the forum that they have received a letter from Interior Ministry and recently amended their reward rules. He also apprised the forum that other agencies have been enlisted as partner agencies in new rules. The Chairman directed the AC AML to procure a copy of the Interior Ministry letter and new reward rules from ANF and close both with the above mentioned letter to be written to the Chief F&C FBR with a copy to the FBR Member Customs.

It was also decided that a letter may be written to Director Directorate of Cross Border Currency Movement (CBCM) for arrangement of a special training on investigation and prosecution of currency cases for the investigation officers. The representatives of ANF apprised the forum that regular training sessions are organized at regional directorate of the ANF for IOs on investigation and prosecution. The Chairman requested the representatives of ANF that IOs of Customs may also be included in the next training session and an invitation letter may be sent in this regard. Letter is being written to the Director CBCM for organizing training sessions for IOs regarding investigation and prosecution of currency and gold cases.

The Chairman has also directed the AC AML to draft a letter to be sent to FC (North), FIA and Home Department to nominate their representatives for land border stations at Torkhum, Kharlachi, Ghulam Khan and Angoor Ada (Tank) for interdiction of currency and gold at these stations. MCC Enforcement and Compliance Peshawar would write a letter to mention agencies with the request to nominate representatives for land border stations.

The Chairman requested Intelligence Agencies to help the intelligence based operations for huge currency and gold cases at land border stations and airports. It has been decided that all agencies would carry out the intelligence based operations with the assistance of intelligence agencies.

It was decided to share the draft report of airport survey with ASF and ANF and their recommendations should be included in the report. It was also decided that a meeting prior to next BTF meeting may be held at the airport and draft may be finalized.

The final draft may be presented in the next meeting and if approved the same would be sent to the National Task Force for implementation and replication at other airports. The AC BKIAP would share the drat report with ASF and ANF and to hold a meeting for finalization of the draft.