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Bhutan’s Department of Revenue and Customs (DRC), in collaboration with India’s Central Board of Excise and Customs, and the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes and Narcotics (NACIN), India, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), conducted a Training on Intelligence, Information Gathering, and Investigation on 5-9 February 2018 in Phuentsholing, Bhutan. The aim of the Training was to both enhance the legal and theoretical knowledge of DRC officers in the area of Customs enforcement, and to share practical hands-on experience of enforcement technique and procedures to ensure compliance with Bhutan’s rules and regulations.

Three established experts from NACIN in the field of enforcement delivered the training, which focused on

• Information and intelligence gathering;
• Search and seizure procedures;
• Data analysis and scrutiny of documents;
• Interrogation technique;
• Financial Investigation;
• Drafting of investigation report and Show Cause Notices;
• Trade-based money laundering; and
• Rewards, Prosecution, and others.

Strong emphasis on hands-on break-out sessions, and inclusion of case studies strengthened participants’ practical skills throughout the Training, equipping them with detailed knowledge to apply in operational situations.

The Workshop was inaugurated by DRC Regional Director, Pheuntsholing Mr. Sonam Dorji and ADB Trade Facilitation Expert Mr. Phuntso Wangdi. A total of 27 DRC officers from headquarters and field offices of Customs, Income Tax, and Sales Tax participated in the Workshop. The Closing Ceremony and presentation of certificates was led by Mr. Yonten Namgyel, Director, DRC, and Ms. Kanokpan Lao-Araya, Country Director for ADB Resident Mission in Bhutan.

The Training was supported by ADB technical assistance funding.