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Smuggling and consumerism

Increasing detections of contraband at some entry points to the country, by the Customs Department, point to mounting clandestine operations by smuggling rings. In a particularly dramatic detection at the BIA recently, the Customs swiftly uncovered plans by one such ring to smuggle in over Rs. 3.7 million worth of medicinal drugs and cigarettes. Such detections, it seems, are increasingly frequent and sometimes involve nationals of other countries in the region.

While increasing Customs surveillance at entry points to Sri Lanka is an important immediate measure, considering the sometimes multinational nature of these smuggling operations, it would also be advisable to increase regional cooperation in the battle against smuggling. Reports said that efforts in this direction have already been launched in respect of India. Top Customs officials from both countries, for instance, met recently in Colombo for joint action plans.

The smuggling of hard drugs, such as heroin, to Sri Lanka is, of course, one of our biggest worries in this area but a considerable loss is also incurred by the country through the smuggling of other kinds of contraband, such as cigarettes, liquor and luxury goods. There is no escaping the need for firm law-enforcement to curb smuggling and we hope that every effort will be made to keep the law-enforcement machinery in fine trim. These measures need to be carried out immediately.

Smuggling has "always been with us" to a degree, but such illegal operations could register a rise in the present, comparatively business-friendly atmosphere in the country and amid the prospect of more and more markets for consumer goods opening-up, now that armed hostilities have been halted in the North and East. Needless to say, the increasing smuggling of contraband into the country carries the corollary of decreased tax income for the State.

A considerable quantum of smuggled goods find their way into the pavements and the informal sectors of the economy but State tax experts need to explore ways of inducing errant sections of the business community into conforming to legal procedures in conducting business.

Stepped-up smuggling of medicinal drugs, in particular, should be viewed with concern by the State because the possibility is high of inferior-quality medicines being sold in the open market. When viewed in conjunction with mushrooming "pharmacies", this health threat could be considered grave. Perhaps, the envisaged Consumer Protection Authority could look into the possibility of keeping an eagle eye on these sectors and of cracking down on those establishments which peddle sub-standard medicines.

Smuggling took an intriguing turn in this country recently when the remains of animals, some of them endangered species, were detected among contraband being brought into the country. Occasions are also not infrequent of rare animal species, being smuggled out of the country. Investigations at the time revealed that some animal remains were being used here in bizarre rituals. Are we also experiencing an upsurge in superstitious beliefs amid a proliferation of the consumerist ethos, which is a great inducement to the smuggling of contraband ?

These are issues which need to be taken-up by both the State authorities as well as sections of the policy planning and academic communities.

It is clear that while fundamental freedoms should be made to thrive the necessary legal framework and mechanisms should be introduced to curb pernicious practices and the gross misuse and abuse of these liberties. For, they could aggravate the "culture of death".

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