States like Maharashtra, UP, Assam and Chhattisgarh are also not lagging behind in the number of arrests.Seizures are generally considered a very small fraction of the actual smuggling, accounting for less than 10%. According to figures compiled by the government, West Bengal couriers were caught with over Rs 60 lakh, the highest FICN seizure among all states between July and December 2009.
Andhra Pradesh stood second with seizure of Rs 50 lakh. The other substantial FICN seizure was made in Punjab (Rs 49 lakh), Maharashtra (Rs 33 lakh), UP (Rs 32 lakh), TN (Rs 25 lakh), Assam (Rs 20 lakh), Gujarat (Rs 12 lakh) and Chhattisgarh (Rs 9 lakh).
Intelligence agencies have often found these couriers carrying arms and explosives such as high-grade RDX along with FICN consignments at the behest of terror masterminds in Pakistan. The couriers also act as feeder to various terror sleeper cells in the country as revealed during investigations in many of these cases.
A high-level committee headed by the home secretary and comprising officials of central agencies and police officials constantly monitor these issues and draw strategies to counter the rising menace. Similar monitoring bodies have also been set up in states comprising of police and intelligence officials.