In a major crackdown against illegal import of prohibited nicotine products, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a large-scale e-cigarette (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 were mis-declared to evade customs scrutiny. 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.

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”.

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.

Prohibited electronic cigarettes smuggling crackdown leads to seizure of concealed vape consignments imported through misdeclared cargo. Illegal import of prohibited electronic cigarettes and other Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) was intercepted in coordinated anti-smuggling operations across multiple ports, airports and ICDs. Acting on specific intelligence, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence identified mis-declared consignments, traced the goods to China, and seized nearly 3,00,000 electronic cigarettes and vapes concealed in consignments described as furniture and metal chair parts. Electronic cigarettes and all ENDS are prohibited in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019.