Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)

Jan. 29, 2024

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officers developed an intelligence and intercepted seven consignments which had arrived from Hong Kong at the Foreign Post Office in New Delhi recently.

About Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI):

  • It is the premier intelligence and enforcement agency of the Government of India on anti-smuggling matters.
  • It works under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India. 
  • It came into existence on December 4, 1957.
  • Functions:
    • Collection of intelligence about smuggling of contraband goods, narcotics, under-invoicing, etc. through sources in India and abroad, including secret sources.
    • Analysis and dissemination of such intelligence to the field formations for action and working on such intelligence, where necessary.
    • Keeping watch over important seizures and investigation cases. Associating with or taking over the investigations which warrant specialised handling by the Directorate.
    • Guiding important investigation/prosecution cases. Keeping liaison with foreign countries, Indian Missions, and Enforcement agencies abroad on anti-smuggling matters.
    • To keep in liaison with C.B.I. and through them with the To refer cases registered under the Customs Act to the Income Tax Department for action under the Income Tax Act.
    • To keep statistics of seizures, and prices/rates etc. for watching trends of smuggling and supply required material to the Ministry of Finance and other Ministries.
    • To study and suggest remedies for loopholes in law and procedures to combat smuggling.
  • The DRI, with its Headquarters in New Delhi, has 12 zonal units, 35 regional units, and 15 sub-regional units.