Overview
- The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence intercepted and seized about 300,000 electronic cigarettes and vapes on Thursday in operations across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal, with an estimated value of ₹120 crore.
- DRI said the consignments were sourced from China and were deliberately mis-declared to evade customs checks.
- Officials uncovered the products concealed inside shipments labeled as furniture and metal chair parts after following specific intelligence inputs.
- The seized devices are prohibited under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019, which bans import, production, sale and related activities to protect public health.
- Authorities said investigations and follow-up enforcement will continue, which could increase cargo scrutiny at ports, airports and inland container depots and lead to action against local handlers and distribution networks.