GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5222
TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 04TH APRIL 2022
CHAITRA 14, 1944 (SAKA)
Use of Cryptocurrency for Drug Trafficking and Arms Smuggling
5222. SHRIMATI RANJANBEN DHANANJAY BHATT:
Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that there is increasing use of cryptocurrencies/virtual currencies for drug trafficking and arms smuggling in the country;
(b) if so, whether the Government proposes to take concrete steps to check it;
(c) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which steps are likely to be taken by the Government in this regard; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(SHRI PANKAJ CHOUDHARY)
(a) Narcotics Control Bureau and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs has unearthed the payment of approx. Rs. 2.2 crore through crypto-currency in 11 cases linked to drug trafficking.
(b) to (d) In this respect, Government of India has taken the following steps:
- Conducting training for the field officers on cyber and forensic technologies.
- Conducting training for the field officers on collection of evidences through electronic means.
- Regular liasioning with technical experts.
- Coordination with foreign drug law enforcement agencies.
- Assistance to states for procuring of equipment including electronic surveillance systems.
- Hiring of technical experts to assist in intelligence collection and investigation.
- Setting up of e-surveillance and monitoring systems.
