Page 2 - Smuggling

Delhi Police busts aviation fuel smuggling racket, 6 held in ₹1.62 cr scam

The Delhi Police on Monday claimed to have busted a racket siphoning off aviation turbine fuel from tankers meant for the international airport here and selling those in the open market as mineral turpentine oil, causing monthly loss of over Rs 1.62 crore to the national exchequer. The illegal operation running for over three years was uncovered following a tip-off received on Sunday, and led to the arrest of six people and detention of two others. The racket is said to be causing a loss of over Rs 1.62 crore to the exchequer every month, with an estimated 5,000 litres of fuel being stolen daily. "The ATF was originally dispatched from HPCL's Asoda Depot in Bahadurgarh for delivery to IGI Airport. However, tanker drivers, in connivance with the transporter and godown owner, manipulated GPS tracking data and diverted the tankers to a concealed location in Mundka," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Aditya Gautam said. The security locks on the tankers meant to be opened only a

G7 leaders pledge to take joint action to tackle migrant smuggling

The G7 committed to collaborating with social media companies on voluntary principles to prevent organised crime groups from using online platforms to coordinate migrant smuggling

FBI arrests 3rd Chinese national in US for smuggling biological materials

A Chinese PhD student has been detained for allegedly smuggling roundworm-linked biological materials into the US. This comes amid a broader probe into unauthorised CCP-linked bio-research

What is Fusarium graminearum, the fungus allegedly smuggled from China?

Federal prosecutors charged two Chinese researchers on Tuesday with smuggling a crop-killing fungus into the US last summer - charges that come amid heightened political tensions between the two countries and as the Trump administration moves to revoke visas from visiting Chinese students. Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu are charged with conspiracy, smuggling, making false statements and visa fraud for allegedly bringing the fungus Fusarium graminearum into the US Jian, 33, was booked in a Detroit federal court. Liu, 34, is thought to be in China. According to the FBI, Liu had small baggies of the fungus stashed in his backpack when he flew to the US last year and, after claiming ignorance about the plant material inside them, said he was planning to use it for research at a University of Michigan lab where Jian worked and where Liu previously worked. What is Fusarium head blight? Fusarium graminearum causes a disease called Fusarium head blight that can wipe out cereal crops such as .

FBI arrests Chinese researchers for smuggling lethal crop pathogen into US

US warns of agroterrorism threats after arresting a University of Michigan researcher and her partner for allegedly bringing a deadly fungus into the country

BSF foils smuggling in Ferozepur, seizes drones, nabs armed suspect

The suspect, a resident of Habib Wala village, was found in possession of a country-made pistol and a motorcycle.

Russian researcher at Harvard University charged for smuggling frog embryos

Petrova, 31, has been held in custody since mid-February, when customs agents detained her at Boston's Logan Airport

India, Nepal to boost border infra, data sharing to curb smuggling

Recognising that effective border management is important in fight against smuggling, discussions also included upgrade of border infrastructure and automation and digitisation of transit processes

Pakistani-Canadian held for smuggling US tech to Pak military entities

A Pakistani-Canadian national has been arrested for running a years-long scheme to circumvent US export control laws and smuggle millions of dollars' worth of American technology to entities associated with Pakistan's military and weapons programmes. Mohammad Jawaid Aziz (67) was arrested on March 21 in the Western District of Washington while attempting to cross into the United States from Canada. He remains detained, pending transfer to the district of Minnesota. Aziz has been charged with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and Export Control Reform Act, which carries a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison; and violating the Export Control Reform Act, which carries a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison. The indictment alleges that from 2003 through approximately March 2019, Aziz operated an illicit procurement network through his Canada-based company Diversified Technology Services. The purpose of the network was

US intel names India, China in fentanyl supply as Trump targets tariffs

In a report published last year, India was mentioned only as one of the countries from which Mexican groups were sourcing chemicals. China, on the other hand, was named as the primary supplier

Probe confirms allegations of police protocol misuse by actress Ranya Rao

The probe into the possible role of DGP-rank officer K Ramachandra Rao in the gold smuggling case has lent credence to the DRI's allegations that his stepdaughter, Ranya Rao, misused police protocols, sources said on Thursday. According to official sources, during the inquiry by Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta, a detailed analysis of records at Bengaluru airport revealed that the Kannada actress had misused police protocol services during her foreign travels, particularly upon her arrival at Kempegowda International Airport from Dubai. Analysis of CCTV footage at the airport further indicated that she availed herself of the DGP-rank officer's protocol services every time she arrived from Dubai at Bengaluru airport, the sources added. The Karnataka government sent the DGP-rank officer on compulsory leave on Saturday. Recently, the senior IPS officer was questioned in connection with the gold smuggling case. His statement was subsequently recorded by the investigating team le

Gold smuggling case: Actor Ranya Rao remanded to 14-day judicial custody

Kannada actor Ranya Rao was caught at Bengaluru airport with 14.8 kg of gold, as the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence uncovered the smuggling operation just before she cleared security

Ranya Rao gold smuggling controversy: What India's customs rules say

Kannada actress Ranya Rao was caught smuggling gold at Bengaluru Airport. Here's a look at India's customs rules on gold, cash limits, and penalties under the Customs Act of 1962

UK launches 'world's first' sanctions to crack down on illegal migration

The UK on Thursday announced the world's first new sanctions regime to combat people smuggling crime rings and block the illicit finance fuelling such operations as part of measures to crack down on illegal migration. The government said the new standalone sanctions are dedicated to targeting irregular migration and organised immigration crime, which will allow the authorities to target individuals and entities enabling dangerous journeys. The new sanctions regime is expected to come into force within the year as experts from across government work with law enforcement and operational Home Office colleagues to stem finance flows at their source and deter smugglers facilitating irregular migratory movements, including dangerous sea crossings across Europe. We must dismantle the crime gangs facilitating breaches of our borders. By crippling illicit finance rings allowing smugglers to traffic vulnerable people across Europe, we will deliver on our Plan for Change and secure UK borders,

Don't kill golden goose chasing smuggling masterminds: Revenue secy to DRI

Malhotra said it is vital for the department to upgrade skills and manpower to adapt to technological changes

Grains for gold: Govt export curbs drive boom in barter smuggling

The practice of smuggling gold to buy grain has persisted even after India, the world's second-largest gold consumer, slashed 9 percentage points from its import duty in July

Andaman police to question Starlink on device used in smuggled drugs haul

Starlink, which says it provides coverage in international waters, has plans to launch in India, but says its coverage in territorial waters is contingent on government approval

Indian Coast Guard seizes record 5 tons of drugs in Andaman waters

The massive drug haul, part of a broader crackdown, is believed to be the biggest-ever drug consignment seized by the Indian Coast Guard

US-Canada border human smuggling case: Indian testifies during trial

An Indian national who survived a treacherous trek across the US-Canada border in blizzard conditions has testified that he got separated from a family of four shortly before they froze to death. Yash Patel took the stand on Wednesday on the third day of the trial of Indian national Harshkumar Ramanlal Patel, 29, and Steve Shand, 50, of Florida. Prosecutors say they put financial profit over human life when they attempted to smuggle Indian migrants across the border into Minnesota over a five-week period in December 2021 and January 2022. They say Patel ran part of the smuggling scheme and recruited Shand as a driver. Both men have pleaded not guilty to four counts related to human smuggling. Federal prosecutors say a family of four 39-year-old Jagdish Patel; his wife, Vaishaliben, who was in her mid-30s; their 11-year-old daughter, Vihangi; and 3-year-old son, Dharmik froze to death on January 19, 2022. Patel is a common Indian surname and the victims were not related to Harshk

NIA files charge-sheet in cross-border arms smuggling case in Punjab

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a charge-sheet against a man in a case linked to cross-border smuggling of arms and ammunition by drones in the border areas of Punjab's Gurdaspur district, an official said on Sunday. The charge-sheet against Malkit Singh alias "Pistol" was filed in the NIA special court in Mohali in Punjab, a spokesperson of the federal agency said. The case was initially registered at the Dera Baba Nanak police station in Batala on March 24 following the seizure of firearms and ammunition, including five Austria-made pistols, 10 magazines and 91 live cartridges, by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel from a cremation ground at Bhagtana-Boharwala village. On August 8, the NIA re-registered the case under various sections of the Arms Act, the Aircraft Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the spokesperson said. The official said investigations revealed connections between members of the proscribed terrorist organisation Khalistan ...