New Delhi, May 21: In a major nationwide crackdown on illegal nicotine products, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a large-scale e-cigarette and vape smuggling racket operating across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the operation was carried out over the past few days across multiple ports, airports and Inland Container Depots (ICDs), leading to the seizure of nearly 3 lakh electronic cigarettes and vapes worth more than ₹120 crore.
Massive Seizure of Illegal Vapes
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, DRI officials tracked and intercepted several suspicious import consignments that were allegedly misdeclared to evade customs scrutiny.
During detailed examination, officials recovered around:
- 3,00,000 electronic cigarettes and vapes
- Multiple international brands and flavours
- Various specifications and models
The total estimated market value of the seized products is over ₹120 crore.
Goods Allegedly Imported From China
Investigations revealed that the prohibited vaping products were sourced from China and smuggled into India by concealing them inside consignments falsely declared as:
- “Furniture”
- “Metal Chair Parts”
- Other miscellaneous commercial goods
Officials said the smuggling network used fake declarations to bypass customs checks and illegally distribute the banned products in India.
E-Cigarettes Completely Banned in India
The Ministry of Finance reiterated that electronic cigarettes and all Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) are completely prohibited in India under the:
“Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act, 2019.”
The law was enacted in the interest of public health and to protect citizens, especially youth, from the harmful effects of nicotine addiction and vaping products.
DRI Intensifies Crackdown
Officials stated that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence is continuing its crackdown against illegal imports and organised smuggling networks involved in prohibited products entering the country.
Further investigation into the racket, including identification of importers, distributors and financial links, is currently underway.
