The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted a significant crackdown on electronic cigarette smuggling, seizing nearly 300,000 electronic cigarettes valued at over ₹120 crore across four Indian states. According to the Ministry of Finance, the operation was carried out over the past few days across ports, airports and Inland Container Depots (ICDs) to stop the illegal import of banned nicotine products into India. The DRI, which functions under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), launched the operation after receiving specific intelligence inputs about suspicious import consignments. The Ministry of Finance confirmed that detailed examination led to the seizure of nearly 3,00,000 electronic cigarettes/vapes of various brands, flavours and specifications valued at more than ₹120 crore. As per the latest press release from the Press Information Bureau, the operation targeted Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal states.
The DRI operation was initiated after receiving specific intelligence inputs about suspicious import consignments routed through the customs network using false declarations. As reported by the Ministry of Finance, officials tracked multiple shipments that were mis-declared to evade customs scrutiny. The ministry stated that DRI officials acting on specific intelligence, identified, tracked and intercepted multiple suspicious import consignments that were mis-declared to evade customs scrutiny. The anti-smuggling agency intercepted the incoming supply chains after tracking shipments that local handlers attempted to slip through the customs network.
Investigators traced the smuggling syndicate's supply chain and found a common origin for the seized products sourced from China. According to the Ministry of Finance, all the prohibited e-cigarettes were sourced from China and imported in concealment in items such as 'furniture' and 'metal chair parts' to avoid detection. The ministry stated that these prohibited e-cigarettes were found to be sourced from China in every instance during the investigation. Tracking the logistical trail of the syndicate established a singular point of origin for all the seized contraband, demonstrating the organized nature of the smuggling operation.
India has imposed a strict ban on electronic cigarettes and all Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019. As reported by the Ministry of Finance, the government maintains a strict ban on the import and sale of all electronic smoking devices, making any commercial inbound movement of these goods a direct violation of statutory public health laws. The ministry stated that 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.
