Context: Recently, India, represented by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), has been included in the Steering Committee of the Asset Recovery Interagency Network-Asia Pacific (ARIN-AP), a prominent multi-agency network dedicated to tackling the proceeds of crime in the Asia-Pacific region and a member of the Global CARIN Network.

India’s Role in ARIN-AP

• The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) is the nodal agency for India in this network.

• The law enforcement agencies across ARIN-AP and CARIN jurisdictions benefit from this network, as it aids in tracing assets related to criminal activities, both movable and immovable, across frontiers.

• Through ARIN-AP and the larger CARIN Network, agencies can exchange information on individuals, assets, and companies informally, often expediting the identification and recovery of proceeds of crime.

• Future Presidency and Hosting: India will assume the ARIN-AP presidency and host the Annual General Meeting in 2026, providing a platform to showcase its leadership in asset recovery.

• Focus on Economic Offenders: India’s active participation aligns with its G-20 priorities, especially the Nine Point Agenda on tackling fugitive economic offenders and enhancing asset recovery mechanisms.

About ARIN-AP

• Purpose: ARIN-AP is dedicated to tracking, freezing, and confiscating assets related to criminal activities across the Asia-Pacific region. 

• It functions as part of the larger CARIN (Camden Asset Recovery Interagency Network), which includes over 100 jurisdictions globally.

• ARIN-AP’s core objectives include prioritising the recovery of assets derived from all types of crime, in alignment with international commitments

• It aims to establish itself as a centre of expertise in asset recovery, fostering best practices and knowledge sharing.

• ARIN-AP also facilitates training, research, and partnerships with organisations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and promotes collaboration with the private sector to achieve its objectives effectively.

• Membership: ARIN-AP has 28 member jurisdictions and 9 observers, all working collaboratively through informal information-sharing channels.

Network Functionality and Benefits

• Informal Intelligence Sharing: Member agencies within ARIN-AP and CARIN can informally share intelligence on individuals, assets, and companies, which facilitates rapid cross-border asset tracing and recovery.

• Support for Law Enforcement: The network benefits law enforcement agencies in tracing both movable and immovable assets linked to criminal activities, expediting the process of asset recovery.

CARIN (Camden Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network)

• Overview: CARIN is an informal network of law enforcement and judicial practitioners specializing in asset tracing, freezing, seizure, and confiscation.

• It supports cross-border collaboration among agencies working to prevent criminals from profiting from illicit activities.

• Objective: CARIN’s primary objective is to enhance the effectiveness of its members in depriving criminals of illegally obtained assets. It does so by facilitating communication, intelligence sharing, and coordination across various jurisdictions.

• Membership: CARIN comprises 61 jurisdictions, including 27 EU member states and 13 international organizations, and connects with seven regional ARIN networks worldwide.

• Eligible Users: CARIN’s support is available to law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, magistrates, and officials from Asset Recovery and Management Offices (ARO/AMO)