DRI seizes 3,00,000 smuggled cigarettes/vapes worth Rs 120 crore across four states
New Delhi, May 21
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has seized 3,00,000 electronic cigarettes and vapes worth Rs 120 crore in a major crackdown on an e-cigarettes smuggling racket operating across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, and West Bengal. According to the Ministry of Finance, the widespread enforcement operations targeted multiple ports, airports, and Inland Container Depots over the last few days to block the illegal import of prohibited nicotine products.
The anti-smuggling agency, working under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs, intercepted the incoming supply chains after tracking shipments that local handlers attempted to slip through the customs network.
"Acting on specific intelligence, DRI identified, tracked and intercepted multiple suspicious import consignments that were mis-declared to evade customs scrutiny," the Ministry of Finance stated.
The Ministry of Finance confirmed that, "Detailed examination led to the seizure of nearly 3,00,000 electronic cigarettes/vapes of various brands, flavours and specifications valued at more than Rs 120 crore."
The Ministry mentioned that tracking the logistical trail of the syndicate established a singular point of origin for all the seized contraband.
"These prohibited e-cigarettes were found to be sourced from China in every instance and imported in concealment in the items such as such as "Furniture" and "Metal Chair Parts"," the ministry stated.
The government maintains a strict ban on the import and sale of all electronic smoking devices, making any commercial inbound movement of these goods a direct violation of statutory public health laws.
The Ministry of Finance stated that, "Electronic cigarettes and all Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) are prohibited in India under the the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act, 2019, enacted in the interest of public health and to protect people from harm."
— ANI
Reader Comments
3 lakh vapes in just a few days? That's a staggering number. Makes you wonder how many are already in the market undetected. The concealment in furniture and chair parts is clever, but good that intelligence worked. Need more such coordinated actions across ports and airports.
While I support the ban on these products, I feel we are missing the point. Smuggling thrives because there is demand. Instead of just seizures, why not invest in awareness campaigns and rehabilitation? Also, a blanket ban may drive everything underground. But good work by DRI nonetheless. 👍
My brother fell into this trap last year. These are flavoured, look like pen drives, and kids think they are "cool" and safe because no smoke. They are NOT safe. Thank you DRI for this. Public health comes first. Applaud the vigilance at our borders. 🙏
Impressive coordination across four states. I'm a expat in Mumbai and I know how rampant vaping is at parties. This crackdown is well-timed. The Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019 was passed for a reason. China-sourced vapes being smuggled in furniture... sounds like a web of crime.
Rs 120 crore in value? That's a huge financial hit to the syndicate. But I worry about the unseized ones - how many are already being sold in local shops in Delhi and Kolkata ? We need more spot raids on retailers. Good start, but need sustained pressure. Also,
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