Illegal trade: ₹66 lakh worth imported cigarettes seized in Delhi, 4 arrested

With the arrest of four persons and seizure of 6.50 lakh cigarette sticks worth ₹66 lakh, Delhi Police has busted a syndicate engaged in the illegal trade of foreign brand cigarettes, a senior police officer said on Sunday.

The four accused have been identified as Anas, Saqib, Sameer Ur Rehman and Sagar Haswani and booked under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, Deputy Commissioner of Police Sanjay Kumar Sain said.

“The accused sourced cigarettes from Guwahati, Sikkim, and distributed them in Delhi, targeting youngsters and teenagers,” Mr. Sain said.

On Thursday, a tip-off was received of over 4.70 lakh cigarette sticks stored in the Katra Hiddu area of old Delhi in a godown operated by Anas and Saqib. The remaining cigarettes were seized from a shop by Sameer Ur Rehman at Samose Wali Gali in the same area, Mr. Sain said

According to the DCP, the seized cigarette packets lacked the statutory warning mandated by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

“The syndicate imported these cigarettes at low prices, stored them in bulk, and distributed them to retailers,” he added.

Published - December 16, 2024 01:05 am IST