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New Delhi, 21 May. In a major action against e-cigarette smuggling in Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat and West Bengal, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized three lakh banned e-cigarettes/vapes worth approximately Rs 120 crore. This action was taken during operations conducted at various ports, airports and ICDs.

Campaign launched in many states

DRI identified and monitored suspicious import consignments based on specific intelligence. Investigation found that these consignments were wrongly declared to avoid customs checks. After a detailed investigation, around 3,00,000 electronic cigarettes and vapes of different brands, flavors and specifications were seized.

Banned e-cigarettes were imported from China

Investigation revealed that all these banned e-cigarettes were imported from China. The smugglers had tried to bring them to India by hiding them among items like “furniture” and “metal chair parts” so as to escape the attention of the investigating agencies.

E-cigarettes are banned under the 2019 law

Electronic cigarettes and all electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are banned by law in India. The Central Government had enacted the Electronic Cigarette Prohibition Act in 2019 with the aim of protecting public health and people from harm. Under this law, production, manufacturing, import, export, transportation, sale, distribution, storage and advertisement of e-cigarettes is banned.

Investigation into smuggling network continues

According to DRI officials, people associated with the smuggling network and import channels are being thoroughly investigated in this case. The agency is trying to find out through what channels these banned products were being supplied into the country.