GUWAHATI: In a significant operation under the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances' Special Campaign 3.0, the Guwahati Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Customs Zone, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), recently executed the destruction of 9077.24 kilograms of Ganja with an estimated value of Rs. 14.44 crores. Additionally, they destroyed Rs. 1.51 crore worth of foreign-origin cigarette sticks, valued at Rs. 29.66 crores, all of which had been seized under the Customs Act of 1962.
This meticulously orchestrated "Drugs Destruction Drive" was conducted in the presence of several high-ranking officials, including Chairman of CBIC, Shri. Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, Chief Commissioner of CGST and Customs for the Guwahati Zone, Ms. Bandhana Deori, ADG of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Sh. G M Kamei, Chief Commissioner of Customs (Preventive) for the North Eastern Region (NER) in Shillong, Sh. Mahfuzur Rahman, Principal Additional Director General (ADG) of the Directorate General of Human Resource Development (HRD), Sh. Rajeev Yadav, and the Regional Officer of the State Pollution Control Board, Sh. Debasish Dey. Their presence emphasized the gravity and importance of this operation.
This event is not an isolated incident but part of an ongoing commitment by the Guwahati Customs to combat illegal activities. In the preceding financial year of 2022-23, a similar operation took place on June 8, 2022, in which 7472.386 kilograms of Ganja, valued at Rs. 7.72 crore, was destroyed. Moreover, on March 29, 2023, the destruction of foreign-origin cigarettes was carried out, with a staggering 1.78 crore sticks, valued at Rs. 30.23 crore, disposed of along with other customs-seized goods, including items like black pepper, dried dates, and anti-mosquito coils.
The current destruction efforts are spearheaded by CBIC as part of Special Campaign 3.0, a comprehensive initiative dedicated to efficiently managing and disposing of seized goods. The primary objectives are to enhance public welfare and the nation's overall well-being, ensuring the cleanliness of the environment, and freeing up valuable office space. These initiatives not only serve the immediate purpose of eliminating illegal substances from circulation but also contribute to the broader goal of creating a drug-free nation, safeguarding the welfare of its citizens.
The destruction of drugs and contraband under Special Campaign 3.0 is a significant step towards fostering a safer, cleaner, and more prosperous nation, promoting public welfare, and safeguarding the health and well-being of the population.
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