Rummaging and Intelligence - Mumbai Customs Zone

Preventive Commissionerate

Helpline No. : 022-22757670
Email: commrprev-cusmum[at]nic[dot]in

Rummaging and Intelligence (R&I) Wing - Mumbai Customs

The Rummaging and Intelligence (R&I) Wing of Mumbai Customs plays a vital role in protecting India's borders and safeguarding the nation's economic and security interests. Established in 1970 as part of the Preventive Commissionerate, it was created in response to a significant rise in smuggling activities, particularly along India’s west coast. Since its inception, the R&I Wing has been at the forefront of countering illegal trade and enforcing customs regulations.

In the late 1960s, India witnessed an alarming rise in smuggling, especially through its western ports. To address this growing threat, the Preventive Commissionerate was established in 1970, with a dedicated Collector of Customs (Preventive) overseeing operations. The Preventive Commissionerate consolidated key units, including the Rummaging and Intelligence Wing of Customs House, the Marine and Preventive Wing, and the Gold Control Wing, forming a unified and more effective anti-smuggling force.

Key Responsibilities

The Rummaging and Intelligence (R&I) Wing is responsible for the following critical functions

Intelligence Gathering and Analysis

The Preventive Commissionerate focuses on the collection, analysis, and dissemination of intelligence regarding smuggling, fraud, and other illicit activities. This intelligence forms the basis for identifying threats and implementing preventive actions.

Risk Assessment

The Preventive Commissionerate uses data-driven risk analysis to identify high-risk shipments, individuals, and consignments, ensuring that suspicious cargo is thoroughly examined to prevent the entry of illicit goods into the country.

Preventive Measures

The R&I Wing plays a critical role in preventing the smuggling of goods such as narcotics, gold, counterfeit products, and other illegal items. It enforces strict adherence to customs regulations, ensuring that legitimate trade is not disrupted while combating illegal activities.

Collaborative Enforcement

The Preventive Commissionerate work closely with several national and state agencies including the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, Intelligence Bureau, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Maharashtra Police and Department of Fisheries, Govt. of Maharashtra , to combat organized maritime smuggling and trafficking. This Wing also participate in Joint Sea Exercises conducted by Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard round the year to strengthen India's maritime security and coastal defense mechanisms. This collaboration enhances The Preventive Commissionerate’s effectiveness in securing the coast.

Training and Capacity Building

The Preventive Commissionerate conducts specialized training programs for customs officers in techniques related to intelligence gathering, rummaging, and risk management. This ensures that officers remain equipped to handle increasingly sophisticated smuggling methods and security challenges.

Striking Units

The R&I Wing operates various specialized units to enhance its effectiveness, including

NSPU (Nhava Sheva Preventive Unit)
DIU (Docks Intelligence Unit)
HQIU (Headquarter Intelligence Unit)
NCCP (Narcotics Control Customs Preventive)
APU (Air Preventive Unit)
RSR (Rummaging Superintendent Roster)

Each of these units plays a strategic role in tackling different aspects of smuggling, from drug enforcement to rapid response operations, ensuring a comprehensive approach to national security and trade enforcement.

Legacy and Impact

The Rummaging and Intelligence (R&I) Wing has evolved over the years, integrating modern intelligence tools and techniques to meet the challenges posed by increasingly sophisticated criminal networks. Its legacy remains central to Mumbai Customs' efforts in securing India’s borders, curbing smuggling, and facilitating legitimate trade. The Preventive Commissionerate’s work ensures that India’s economic and security interests are protected, while also supporting global trade by preventing the entry of illegal goods and maintaining the integrity of the customs system.

Location

Office of the Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), 2nd Floor, New Custom House, Ballard Estate, Mumbai – 400001

Office of the Additional Commissioner of Customs, R&I Wing, 11th Floor, Annex Building, New Custom House, Ballard Estate, Mumbai – 400001

Office of the Joint Commissioner of Customs, R&I Wing, 11th Floor, Annex Building, New Custom House, Ballard Estate, Mumbai – 400001

Marine and Preventive Wing - Mumbai

The Marine and Preventive Wing is a critical component of India’s efforts to secure its coastline and prevent smuggling and illegal trade, while also facilitating legitimate international trade. This Wing plays a pivotal role in both securing the coastline and enforcing customs laws in maritime regions, especially along India's western seaboard.

In response to the increasing threat of smuggling and illegal trade through coastal routes, the Marine and Preventive Wing was established to monitor and safeguard the country’s extensive maritime borders. It was later integrated into the Preventive Commissionerate in 1970, which unified various anti-smuggling Wings, creating a more coordinated response to the growing menace of smuggling and illicit trade.

Key Responsibilities

The Marine and Preventive Wing has a broad range of duties, which include

Patrolling and Sea Surveillance

The Preventive Commissionerate conducts extensive sea patrolling to monitor maritime activities, prevent smuggling, and deter illegal shipments. This includes regular patrols along the coastline and monitoring suspicious activities in and around India's territorial waters.

Coastline Security

With a jurisdiction spanning 370 km of coastline, from Dahanu in the north to Srivardhan in the south, The Preventive Commissionerate plays a central role in securing the coastline against smuggling. It works to ensure that contraband and illegal goods do not make their way into the country via sea routes, particularly through minor ports and unregulated coastal areas.

Facilitating International Trade

The Preventive Commissionerate plays a critical role in facilitating legitimate international trade by ensuring smooth operations at EP Circles, Inland Container Depots (ICD), and minor ports. It ensures that goods moving through these points comply with all customs regulations, supporting the seamless flow of trade while preventing the illegal movement of contraband.

Customs Enforcement at seaports

As part of its customs enforcement responsibilities, The Preventive Commissionerate ensures that all goods arriving via seaports are properly declared and assessed for customs duties. It also conducts physical inspections and investigations as necessary.

Collaboration for Coastline Security

The Preventive Commissionerate works closely with several national agencies, including the Coast Guard, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), to combat organized maritime smuggling and trafficking. This collaboration enhances The Preventive Commissionerate’s effectiveness in securing the coast.

Training and Capacity Building

The Preventive Commissionerate trains its officers in advanced techniques for marine surveillance, customs enforcement, and smuggling detection, ensuring they are equipped to tackle evolving challenges in coastal security.

Legacy and Impact

The Marine and Preventive Wing has been instrumental in securing India’s coastline and ensuring compliance with customs laws in maritime trade. Its continued efforts help to protect the nation’s economic interests by preventing illegal goods from entering the country, while supporting the legitimate flow of trade through regulated maritime routes. The Preventive Commissionerate’s jurisdiction, spanning five coastal districts – Mumbai & Suburban Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, and Raigad – remains crucial in enforcing India’s maritime security and customs regulations.

Location

Office of the Additional Commissioner of Customs, Marine and Preventive Wing, Customs Preventive Mumbai, 2nd & 3rd Floor, Everest House, 100, Marine Lines, Mumbai-400 002

Office of the Assistant Commissioner of Customs(Prev.), Marine and Preventive Wing, Customs Preventive Mumbai, Killa Bandar road, Bassein, Vasai West, Palghar

Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), Alibag Division, Marine and Preventive Wing, Customs Preventive Mumbai Custom House, Koliwada, Alibag, Raigad - 402201, Maharashtra