FM Sitharaman asks DRI to dismantle smuggling, narcotics networks, adopt AI-driven methods

Nirmala Sitharaman underscored the need for deeper and faster integration of modern technology into enforcement frameworks

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on June 3 asked the directorate of revenue intelligence (DRI) to adopt a holistic and technology-driven approach in tackling smuggling, narcotics and illicit trade, calling for visible, end-to-end results that go beyond piecemeal enforcement.

Inaugurating the DRI's new headquarters in New Delhi, the minister said enforcement agencies must evolve in sync with the growing complexity of global trade and security threats.

“Investigate holistically, keeping the big picture in focus. You have to connect latent dots to uncover deeper systemic risks and threats,” Sitharaman told the enforcement officials.

Emphasising that dismantling entire smuggling syndicates must be the end-goal of any probe, she cautioned against stopping at peripheral seizures or arrests. “It’s no good if you catch the small fish. The bigger smuggling chain has to be tracked and acted upon. I want tangible results to be seen and taken to a logical conclusion,” she said.

Sitharaman underscored the need for deeper and faster integration of modern technology into enforcement frameworks. “There’s a lot of talk around AI, but I now want to see concrete output using AI,” she said, pressing for data-driven, intelligence-led action. "More modern technology use needs to be deeply and well integrated into the system—data analytics and so on," she added.

Narcotics

The minister also identified narcotics as the most serious national threat and called for urgent coordination with state law enforcement agencies to prevent schools and colleges from being targeted by drug traffickers. “Schools and colleges are the first victims. Narcotics is the biggest threat. This has to be worked with state police. Greater coordination is a must,” Sitharaman said.

She flagged gaps in follow-through after enforcement actions and pointed out that coordination remains a grey area. “Today, even if nefarious activities are stopped, the end result on the ground…has to be expedited,” she noted.

Referring to the post-COVID context, Sitharaman said office infrastructure also plays a role in improving institutional outcomes. “After COVID, getting offices aligned with green standards is a priority. Good workspaces make a lot of difference to the quality of work,” she said.

Calling smuggling, drug trafficking and illicit trade a matter of both economic and national security, the Finance Minister asked agencies to move towards trust-based enforcement. “Enforcement must be unyielding, but just. Move from fear-driven to value- and trust-based compliance,” she said, adding that enforcement and trade facilitation must not be seen as opposing ends of the spectrum.

Revenue Secretary Arvind Shrivastava echoed the Minister’s emphasis on tech-enabled enforcement. “The role of DRI must evolve to detect and respond using advanced technological tools,” he said. Shrivastava encouraged the agency to allocate resources to monitor cryptocurrency misuse, illicit finance and activities on the dark web.

He also underlined the importance of collaboration. “The DRI must continue to build coordination through joint operations,” Shrivastav said, adding that enforcement actions must be supported by a robust, data-driven foundation.