MULTAN: Regional Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) in Multan has taken a proactive stance against money laundering, introducing a series of measures to curb this growing financial threat.
Acting under the guidance of the Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU) of the State Bank of Pakistan, DCII holds the mandate to investigate suspicious transactions with a clear aim to eliminate the scourge of money laundering.
Deputy Director Muhammad Umair Zahid highlighted the department’s focus on thorough probes into customs violations during legal trade operations, ensuring strict compliance with the Customs Act. In a bid to strengthen its capacity, the Directorate recently established the Directorate of Cross Border Currency Movement (CBCM) under the Directorate General of Intelligence & Investigation-Customs, as outlined in Customs General Order (CGO) 04/2019, dated May 6, 2019. The new body is charged with analyzing currency seizures, tracking suspicious banking transactions, and coordinating with other law enforcement agencies.
According to Zahid, CBCM’s responsibilities include initiating money laundering cases based on suspicious banking activities and conducting investigations under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010, the Customs Act, 1969, and the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). The establishment of CBCM reflects Customs Intelligence’s shift towards greater specialization, broadening its mandate beyond anti-smuggling.
Under the directives of CGO 04/2019, new investigative guidelines have been rolled out, focusing on the accused’s connections with various groups, travel histories, criminal records, and professional backgrounds. The guidelines also urge investigators to trace foreign connections in currency smuggling cases, recognizing the need for international collaboration. So far, Pakistan Customs has signed 22 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with foreign nations and customs agencies to bolster cooperation. Requests for Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) have been sent to international partners to uncover foreign links in currency smuggling cases.
Pakistan Customs’ ongoing projects include a restructuring of enforcement units to address on-ground challenges, the rollout of the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) at international airports, and the creation of a National Targeting Centre to centralize data from all law enforcement agencies involved in anti-smuggling operations. The Directorate remains confident that these initiatives will help eliminate currency smuggling, trade-based money laundering (TBML), and associated issues like tax evasion and the black economy.
DCII has recently investigated 12 money laundering cases, forwarded by the FMU, underscoring the necessity of stronger cooperation between law enforcement agencies to address these crimes. Deputy Director Zahid has called for the establishment of a dedicated hotline among agencies to swiftly deal with financial crime and smuggling. He emphasized the importance of a regulated global trade environment through legitimate import and export channels to stabilize the national economy.
With a strengthened mandate and a clear strategic direction, the Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation is positioning itself as a key player in securing Pakistan’s financial landscape against illegal activities, with a focus on transparency.
