New Delhi: In a significant crackdown on tobacco smuggling, Delhi Police seized 94,000 packets of banned foreign cigarettes during a raid on a godown in south Delhi’s Vasant Kunj area, officials said on Sunday. Two individuals — Parikshit (22), a local resident, and PP Chengappa (40), a native of Karnataka and owner of the godown — were arrested for running the illegal operation.
According to police, the accused imported cigarettes from Greece, Dubai, and other countries, and distributed them across Delhi-NCR and southern India. The cigarette packets lacked mandatory health warnings and Maximum Retail Price (MRP), thereby violating the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA).
The godown, located in the basement of a residential building, was being used as a central storage hub for the smuggled cigarettes.
♦️नशा मुक्त भारत अभियान के तहत माननीय @LtGovDelhi के निर्देश पर नशे के विरुद्ध मुहिम में @dcp_southwest की कड़ी कार्रवाई
— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) June 29, 2025
♦️ऑपरेशन सेल की टीम ने अवैध अंतरराष्ट्रीय सिगरेट के 2 तस्करों को किया गिरफ्तार
♦️ख़ुफ़िया सूत्रों से मिली जानकारी के आधार पर पुलिस टीम ने वसंत कुंज इलाके में… pic.twitter.com/SaNKv5E8i7
“A tip-off received on June 27 led to the raid. The team recovered several cartons of foreign cigarettes from the premises,” said a senior police officer.
Investigations revealed that Parikshit was introduced to the trade by his father, who is in the airport import-export business. He later connected with Sunil, a Bengaluru-based smuggler, who introduced him to Chengappa. Chengappa allegedly managed logistics and distribution of the illegal consignments for Sunil’s cargo and courier firm.
Both accused were arrested from Nangal Dewat area in Vasant Kunj. An FIR under the COTPA Act has been filed at the Vasant Kunj South Police Station. Police have launched a deeper probe to unravel the entire supply chain and other individuals involved in the racket.
