DRI seizes 3,00,000 electronic cigarettes/vapes worth Rs. 120 crore in a major crackdown on e-cigarette smuggling racket across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal
In a major crackdown against illegal import of prohibited nicotine products, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a large-scale electronic cigarettes (vape) smuggling racket in its operations across several ports, airports and ICDs in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal in last few days.
Acting on specific intelligence, DRI identified, tracked, and intercepted multiple suspicious import consignments that importers had mis-declared to evade customs scrutiny.. Detailed examination led to the seizure of nearly 3,00,000 e – cigarettes/vapes of various brands, flavours and specifications valued at more than Rs 120 crore.
In every instance, importers sourced these prohibited e-cigarettes from China and concealed them in items such as “Furniture” and “Metal Chair Parts” during import.
India prohibits electronic cigarettes and all Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) under the Prohibition of E -Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act, 2019, to protect public health and shield people from harm.
About the Author
