Major crackdown on e-cigarette smuggling racket across India by DRI

New Delhi ( Vivek Ojha) : 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. It was major crackdown against illegal import of prohibited nicotine products.

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”.

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.

It's mention worthy here 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.

Penalties for Violations :

Violating the 2019 Act can lead to severe legal consequences.

First-time Offense: Up to one year of imprisonment or a fine of up to ₹1 lakh, or both.

Repeat Offense: Up to three years of imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹5 lakh.

Storage Violation: Storing e-cigarettes can lead to up to six months of imprisonment or a fine of up to ₹50,000.