The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) uncovered a large-scale e‑cigarette and vape smuggling racket in coordinated operations across ports, airports and Inland Container Depots (ICDs) in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal, seizing nearly 3 lakh devices with an estimated market value of over Rs 120 crore, media reports said on May 21, 2026. Acting on specific intelligence, officers intercepted multiple suspicious import consignments that had allegedly been misdeclared to evade customs scrutiny.
DRI officials said the seized items included electronic cigarettes and vapes of various brands, flavours and specifications. Detailed examination of the consignments revealed that the goods had been concealed inside shipments falsely labelled as items such as “furniture” and “metal chair parts,” apparently to avoid detection during routine customs checks.
Investigators determined that all the intercepted consignments originated from China. The breadth of the seizures — spanning several states and different types of entry points — indicates a coordinated effort to exploit multiple import routes, officials added.
Authorities reiterated that electronic cigarettes and all Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) are banned in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019. The law prohibits the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertisement of e‑cigarettes in the interest of public health.
The DRI said the seizures are part of an ongoing probe into the smuggling network and its logistics. The operation underscores continued enforcement focus on preventing the illegal import and distribution of banned nicotine delivery devices inside India.
Original Source: https://www.guwahatiplus.com/india/nearly-3-lakh-e-cigarettes-worth-rs120-crore-seized-across-four-states-in-india
Category: India
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Publish Date: 2026-05-21 18:27:00
