WORLD Customs Organization (WCO) will organize anti-smuggling and anti-money laundering (AML) operations on the lines of TENTACLE, a first operation of its kind that led to seizure of over US $5 million in cash &gold.

A WCO release dated 28th November 2019 says: “ The WCO will be organizing various similar activities in the coming years, in order to boost its international law enforcement actions, and ensure that Customs administrations more actively engage in global efforts to combat money laundering and other finance-related illegal activities being perpetrated by transnational criminal and terrorist organizations ”.

Describing TENTACLE as a “ ground-breaking ” international operation in which 19 countries participated, the Operation targeted the smuggling of cash and other valuables, leading to over 3.7 million US dollars in cash being seized as well as approximately 28.5 kilograms of gold worth 1.3 million US dollars.

Under the Operation, the participating countries strengthened their controls from 25 August to 6 October 2019 to detect the movement of concealed or undeclared currency and bearer negotiable instruments, as well as gems and precious metals, which were being smuggled via commercial air and other cross-border transport modes.

The Operational Control Unit (OCU) was hosted by the Australian Border Force (ABF) and consisted of staff from the ABF's Border Related Financial Crimes Unit who were backed up by experts from the WCO Secretariat. Together, they provided support to participating countries, compiled data, facilitated international communication, and followed up thereupon. INTERPOL also supported the operation.

The five notable seizures are:

1) The ABF seized Australian 100 dollar bills valued at 122,000 US dollars, which were concealed in magazines whose pages had been removed. They also seized 2,700 US dollars in the form of 100 dollar bills that were being smuggled into Australia.

2) India Customs made two cash seizures of 557,000 and 449,000 US dollars respectively, both of which involved the concealment of various currencies inside carry-on luggage.

3) Japan Customs detected a large gold smuggling scheme that involved the concealment of gold bars within a bundle of 10,000yen notes that had a hollowed-out centre.

4) Sri Lanka Customs seized a considerable quantity of gold that had been transformed into paste, which two individuals attempted to smuggle to Bangladesh. The gold paste was found hidden inside pellets in one passenger's luggage, and on the person of another passenger.

5) Thai Customs seized a significant six bars of gold, as well as a large quantity of gemstones that were being smuggled out of Thailand.