Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has issued a clarion call to officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) to shift their focus from low-level operatives to the masterminds orchestrating smuggling networks.
The Finance Minister has stated in order to be effective enforcement agencies, all officers must embrace three key imperatives.
Firstly, do not view enforcement and facilitation as opposing ends of the spectrum.
Secondly, investigate holistically, keeping the big picture in focus, not merely chasing isolated infractions.
Lastly, enforcement operations should be rooted not only in Data but also in Dharma.
Speaking at the inauguration of DRI’s new headquarters in the capital, Sitharaman emphasised the need for strategic, value-driven enforcement backed by robust intelligence and inter-agency coordination.
“The objective should be to dismantle entire smuggling syndicates — not just intercept fragments. Catching small operatives isn’t enough; the real impact lies in unearthing and acting against those pulling the strings,” the Finance Minister said, urging DRI to ensure investigations culminate in tangible legal outcomes.
Sitharaman noted that while DRI has often showcased impressive intelligence operations, many investigations fail to reach a conclusive end. “I’ve personally followed up on a few significant cases. I’m still waiting to see if they’ve reached a logical conclusion. We need punishment, but more importantly, we need to unmask the masterminds behind these crimes,” she added.
In a strong push for proactive and principled enforcement, Sitharaman stressed that operations must go beyond data analysis. “Investigations should be based not only on data but also guided by dharma — a commitment to justice and fairness. This ensures enforcement moves from fear-based compliance to a culture rooted in trust and values.”
Highlighting the growing spread of narcotics across the country, including in small towns, the minister underscored the urgency for central agencies to act swiftly and in close coordination with state law enforcement bodies. She identified coordination gaps as a major challenge and called for greater synergy to ensure intelligence translates into effective ground action.
The Minister also warned of rising narcotics infiltration in educational institutions. “Schools and colleges are becoming soft targets. DRI must work in tandem with state police forces to counter this alarming trend,” she said.
Sitharaman outlined three core principles for effective enforcement: fairness in the application of rules, consistency in actions, and timely detection of fraud. She urged DRI to adopt a holistic approach to investigations, using behavioural patterns, entity-level data, and cross-agency intelligence to connect the dots and expose deeper systemic threats.
“Enforcement and trade facilitation are not mutually exclusive,” she said. “Smart, intelligence-led action protects not only the revenue but also honest traders who form the backbone of our economy.”
In her concluding remarks, Sitharaman reiterated the need for DRI to work meaningfully with other intelligence and enforcement agencies to filter actionable insights from large data sets. She urged officers to step up efforts and deliver concrete outcomes that reflect the gravity and complexity of today’s smuggling and fraud networks.
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