What defines a coal smuggling scam?

A coal smuggling scam involves the illegal mining, transportation, and sale of coal, often circumventing government regulations, taxes, and environmental laws. It operates outside official channels, constituting a black market trade.

What are the main consequences of coal smuggling?

Key consequences include significant financial losses for the state, severe environmental degradation, unfair competition for legal mining operations, and the financing of criminal networks, thereby fostering corruption.

Who typically benefits from coal smuggling operations?

Criminal syndicates, corrupt officials, and individuals across the illegal supply chain—from miners to high-level facilitators—often profit from these illicit coal operations.

How do authorities combat coal smuggling?

Authorities combat coal smuggling through enhanced surveillance, intelligence sharing, setting up inter-agency task forces, stricter border controls, prosecuting offenders, and public awareness campaigns.