MASCRADE 2026 | One World, One Fight Counterfeiting and smuggling do not stop at borders. Their impact is felt across economies, industries, governments, and communities worldwide. #MASCRADE2026 brings together policymakers, enforcement agencies, industry leaders, international organisations, and civil society to strengthen collaboration against illicit trade on the theme "One World, One Fight: Eliminating Counterfeting and Smuggling Through Collective Action." Together, we can build stronger enforcement, smarter solutions, and greater public awareness to protect consumers, businesses, and economies. 📍 Le Meridien, New Delhi 📅 24–25 September 2026 #FICCICASCADE #OneWorldOneFight

In coordinated operations across the North-East Region, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 71 lakh foreign-origin smuggled cigarette sticks valued at approximately ₹14 crore and arrested 4 individuals. Every such seizure disrupts illegal supply chains that undermine legitimate businesses, evade taxes, and impact the economy. #FICCICASCADE #IllicitTrade

FICCI CASCADE’s Capacity Building Programme for Police Officers in Punjab created a platform for dialogue on tackling counterfeiting and smuggling through stronger coordination, legal awareness, intelligence-led enforcement and shared responsibility. A step towards building stronger institutions, informed enforcement and a more resilient ecosystem against illicit trade. #FICCICASCADE #IllicitTrade #Counterfeiting #Smuggling #CapacityBuilding

FICCI CASCADE extends its sincere gratitude to Punjab Police and all distinguished dignitaries, speakers and participants for contributing to the success of the Capacity Building Programme for Police Officers on Tackling Counterfeiting and Smuggling: Strategies for Effective Enforcement. Together, we continue to build stronger institutional capacity and collaborative enforcement against illicit trade. #FICCICASCADE #IllicitTrade #Counterfeiting #Smuggling #CapacityBuilding

Capacity Building Programme for Police Officers on “Tackling Counterfeiting and Smuggling: Strategies for Effective Enforcement” organised in Punjab brought together senior government officials, police officers, legal experts, and industry representatives to strengthen collective action against illicit trade. The programme focused on enhancing enforcement capabilities through discussions on the economic and social consequences of counterfeiting and smuggling, legal and regulatory frameworks, intelligence-led action, and stronger industry collaboration. #FICCICASCADE #Smuggling #IllicitTrade #CapacityBuilding #Punjab

“Curtailing illicit trade requires collective responsibility and coordinated action. Government agencies, enforcement authorities, industry, citizens, and security institutions all have a critical role to play in strengthening compliance, improving awareness, and building a stronger ecosystem against counterfeiting and smuggling. Only through sustained collaboration can we create lasting impact.” ~ Ashish Paul Vice President – Corporate Affairs, ITC Ltd. @ITCCorpCom

“Effective action against smuggled cigarettes requires strong legal enforcement and timely intervention across the supply chain. Provisions under COTPA empower authorised officers to enter, search, seize and initiate action against non-compliant products, strengthening deterrence against illicit trade and smuggling. Swift prosecution and strict implementation of the law are essential to prevent re-entry of illegal products into the market. Sustained coordination among enforcement agencies remains critical to protect public health and strengthen the formal economy.” ~ Rishi Kulshresth, Advocate, High Court of Delhi #FICCICASCADE #IllicitTrade

“Combating smuggling requires more than seizure operations, it demands stronger legal scrutiny, timely enforcement action, effective search and seizure mechanisms, and rigorous verification of documentation to protect legitimate industry and curb illicit trade at its source.” ~ Rishi Kulshresth, Advocate, High Court of Delhi #FICCICASCADE #IllicitTrade

“As India moves towards becoming one of the world’s leading economies, reducing illicit trade must remain a national priority. Stronger enforcement, institutional capacity building, awareness generation, and collaboration across government, industry, media, consumers, and enforcement agencies will be essential to achieving this objective.” Deep Chand, IPS Advisor, FICCI CASCADE & Former Special Commissioner of Police, New Delhi #FICCICASCADE #IllicitTrade

“The economic impact of illicit trade extends well beyond revenue loss. Estimates indicate that smuggling across key sectors results in losses exceeding ₹1.17 lakh crore to the Indian economy and adversely affects more than 16 lakh livelihood opportunities, impacting inclusive economic growth.” Deep Chand, IPS Advisor, FICCI CASCADE & Former Special Commissioner of Police, New Delhi #FICCICASCADE #IllicitTrade

“Counterfeiting and smuggling have evolved into major economic challenges with global consequences. Estimates indicate that illicit trade creates an annual drain of nearly USD 2.2 trillion on the global economy, equivalent to almost 3 percent of global economic output, making it a challenge that extends far beyond enforcement alone.” Deep Chand, IPS Advisor, FICCI CASCADE & Former Special Commissioner of Police, New Delhi #FICCICASCADE #IllicitTrade

“The Government of India has strengthened the legal and institutional framework to address illicit activities. At the same time, organisations like FICCI CASCADE play an important role in creating awareness, encouraging dialogue, and building greater public and institutional understanding across the country.” Amardeep Singh Rai, IPS Special Director General of Police, Punjab #FICCICASCADE #IllicitTrade

“A holistic understanding of crime is essential, because behind many organised illegal activities lies a financial ecosystem that sustains them. In offences such as smuggling and counterfeiting, disrupting financial networks is often the most effective way to weaken and dismantle these operations.” Amardeep Singh Rai, IPS Special Director General of Police, Punjab #FICCICASCADE #IllicitTrade

“Crime today is increasingly diffused and interconnected, making traditional approaches insufficient. Enforcement agencies must remain alert, strengthen intelligence capabilities, and use data-driven analysis to understand crime in its entirety and develop more effective response strategies.” Amardeep Singh Rai, IPS Special Director General of Police, Punjab #FICCICASCADE #IllicitTrade

“For every police officer, three principles remain essential, motivate the team, strengthen intelligence sharing, and commit to continuous learning. These foundations help build a more prepared, responsive, and effective enforcement system.” Mohammed Tayyab, IAS Secretary, Jails Department, Government of Punjab #FICCICASCADE #IllicitTrade

“Punjab Police has demonstrated a strong commitment towards tackling emerging challenges through coordinated action and continuous strengthening of enforcement capabilities. These efforts play an important role in protecting both public interest and economic integrity.” Mohammed Tayyab, IAS Secretary, Jails Department, Government of Punjab #FICCICASCADE #IllicitTrade

“Smuggled and counterfeit products often enter markets without proper manufacturing details, quality assurance, or traceability. Their availability at lower prices distorts fair competition, affects consumer confidence, and disrupts local trade and economic activity.” Mohammed Tayyab, IAS Secretary, Jails Department, Government of Punjab #FICCICASCADE #IllicitTrade

“Counterfeiting and smuggling are not merely economic offences, they are organised criminal activities that adversely affect the economy, disrupt legitimate businesses, and weaken industrial growth. Addressing this challenge requires sustained enforcement and collective responsibility.” Mohammed Tayyab, IAS Secretary, Jails Department, Government of Punjab #FICCICASCADE #IllicitTrade

“The challenge of illicit trade must also be seen from the perspective of public welfare. Smuggled goods, counterfeit medicines, food products, and other illicit consumer products pose serious risks to public safety, weaken consumer trust, and adversely impact the well-being of society. Addressing these challenges requires stronger enforcement, greater awareness, and coordinated institutional action.” Ankurjeet Singh, IAS Additional Secretary, Home Affairs, Punjab #FICCICASCADE #IllicitTrade #Smuggling

“Counterfeiting and smuggling are not just economic offences, they affect fair business practices, reduce government revenues, and weaken trust in the market system. Their impact goes beyond business and affects the country’s overall growth and development.” Ankurjeet Singh, IAS Additional Secretary, Home Affairs, Punjab #FICCICASCADE #IllicitTrade

“The financial gains from smuggling and counterfeiting often support organised crime and create wider security concerns. Given Punjab’s strategic geographical location, stronger use of technology, coordinated enforcement, and action against financial networks remain essential.” Ankurjeet Singh, IAS Additional Secretary, Home Affairs, Punjab #FICCICASCADE #IllicitTrade