DRI Busts Massive Vape Smuggling Network, Seizes 3 Lakh E-Cigarettes Worth ₹120 Crore

Highlights

• Nearly 3,00,000 illegal e-cigarettes and vapes seized
• Estimated market value of the consignment exceeds ₹120 crore
• Operations conducted across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal
• Smuggled products were allegedly concealed inside consignments labelled as “Furniture” and “Metal Chair Parts”
• All products sourced from China in violation of Indian law banning e-cigarettes

Write paragraph with headline DRI seizes 3,00,000 electronic cigarettes/vapes worth Rs. 120 crore in a major crackdown on e-cigarette smuggling racket across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal Posted On: 21 MAY 2026 1:49PM by PIB Delhi In a major crackdown against illegal import of prohibited nicotine products, 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. 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. 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”. 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

DRI Seizes 3 Lakh E-Cigarettes Worth ₹120 Crore in Nationwide Anti-Smuggling Crackdown

In a major enforcement action against the illegal import of prohibited nicotine products, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a large-scale e-cigarette smuggling racket through coordinated operations across ports, airports, and Inland Container Depots (ICDs) in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, and West Bengal. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, DRI officials tracked and intercepted several suspicious import consignments that had allegedly been mis-declared to evade customs scrutiny. Detailed examination of the consignments led to the seizure of nearly 3,00,000 electronic cigarettes and vapes of different brands, flavours, and specifications, collectively valued at over ₹120 crore. Investigations revealed that all the prohibited products had been sourced from China and concealed inside consignments declared as items such as “Furniture” and “Metal Chair Parts.” Electronic cigarettes and all Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) are banned in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019, enacted to safeguard public health and protect citizens from the harmful effects of nicotine addiction.

Write news 400 words, highlights some highlights in starting and paragraph with sun headlines DRI seizes 3,00,000 electronic cigarettes/vapes worth Rs. 120 crore in a major crackdown on e-cigarette smuggling racket across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal Posted On: 21 MAY 2026 1:49PM by PIB Delhi In a major crackdown against illegal import of prohibited nicotine products, 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. 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. 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”. 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. **** NB/KMN (Release ID: 2263644) Visitor Counter : 340 Read this release in: Gujarati , हिन्दी Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on whatsapp Share on email

DRI Busts Massive Vape Smuggling Network, Seizes 3 Lakh E-Cigarettes Worth ₹120 Crore

Highlights

• Nearly 3,00,000 illegal e-cigarettes and vapes seized
• Estimated market value of the consignment exceeds ₹120 crore
• Operations conducted across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal
• Smuggled products were allegedly concealed inside consignments labelled as “Furniture” and “Metal Chair Parts”
• All products sourced from China in violation of Indian law banning e-cigarettes

Multi-State Crackdown by DRI

In one of the biggest crackdowns on illegal nicotine products in recent years, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has dismantled a large-scale e-cigarette smuggling racket operating through multiple ports, airports and Inland Container Depots (ICDs) across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal. The operation, carried out over the last few days, led to the seizure of nearly 3 lakh electronic cigarettes and vapes valued at more than ₹120 crore.

According to officials, the action was initiated after specific intelligence inputs suggested that several suspicious import consignments were entering India through different cargo channels using false declarations to avoid customs checks. DRI officers tracked the consignments and conducted detailed inspections, uncovering a huge quantity of prohibited vaping products hidden inside imported goods.

Write paragraph with headline DRI seizes 3,00,000 electronic cigarettes/vapes worth Rs. 120 crore in a major crackdown on e-cigarette smuggling racket across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal Posted On: 21 MAY 2026 1:49PM by PIB Delhi In a major crackdown against illegal import of prohibited nicotine products, 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. 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. 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”. 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

DRI Seizes 3 Lakh E-Cigarettes Worth ₹120 Crore in Nationwide Anti-Smuggling Crackdown

In a major enforcement action against the illegal import of prohibited nicotine products, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a large-scale e-cigarette smuggling racket through coordinated operations across ports, airports, and Inland Container Depots (ICDs) in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, and West Bengal. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, DRI officials tracked and intercepted several suspicious import consignments that had allegedly been mis-declared to evade customs scrutiny. Detailed examination of the consignments led to the seizure of nearly 3,00,000 electronic cigarettes and vapes of different brands, flavours, and specifications, collectively valued at over ₹120 crore. Investigations revealed that all the prohibited products had been sourced from China and concealed inside consignments declared as items such as “Furniture” and “Metal Chair Parts.” Electronic cigarettes and all Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) are banned in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019, enacted to safeguard public health and protect citizens from the harmful effects of nicotine addiction.

Write news 400 words, highlights some highlights in starting and paragraph with sun headlines DRI seizes 3,00,000 electronic cigarettes/vapes worth Rs. 120 crore in a major crackdown on e-cigarette smuggling racket across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal Posted On: 21 MAY 2026 1:49PM by PIB Delhi In a major crackdown against illegal import of prohibited nicotine products, 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. 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. 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”. 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. **** NB/KMN (Release ID: 2263644) Visitor Counter : 340 Read this release in: Gujarati , हिन्दी Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on whatsapp Share on email

DRI Busts Massive Vape Smuggling Network, Seizes 3 Lakh E-Cigarettes Worth ₹120 Crore

Highlights

• Nearly 3,00,000 illegal e-cigarettes and vapes seized
• Estimated market value of the consignment exceeds ₹120 crore
• Operations conducted across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal
• Smuggled products were allegedly concealed inside consignments labelled as “Furniture” and “Metal Chair Parts”
• All products sourced from China in violation of Indian law banning e-cigarettes

Multi-State Crackdown by DRI

In one of the biggest crackdowns on illegal nicotine products in recent years, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has dismantled a large-scale e-cigarette smuggling racket operating through multiple ports, airports and Inland Container Depots (ICDs) across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal. The operation, carried out over the last few days, led to the seizure of nearly 3 lakh electronic cigarettes and vapes valued at more than ₹120 crore.

According to officials, the action was initiated after specific intelligence inputs suggested that several suspicious import consignments were entering India through different cargo channels using false declarations to avoid customs checks. DRI officers tracked the consignments and conducted detailed inspections, uncovering a huge quantity of prohibited vaping products hidden inside imported goods.

Smuggled Through Misdeclared Cargo

Investigators revealed that the illegal e-cigarettes were concealed in shipments declared as “Furniture” and “Metal Chair Parts.” The tactic was allegedly used to bypass customs scrutiny and facilitate the illegal distribution of vaping products in the Indian market.

Officials stated that all seized products were sourced from China and included a wide variety of brands, flavours and specifications. The recovered items are believed to be part of a well-organised smuggling network operating across several states.

The DRI is now probing the identities of importers, logistics handlers and distributors linked to the racket. Authorities suspect the involvement of multiple entities working together to illegally transport and market banned nicotine products across the country.

E-Cigarettes Banned in India

Electronic cigarettes and all Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) are prohibited in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019. The law bans the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertisement of e-cigarettes in the interest of public health.Government agencies have repeatedly expressed concern over the increasing use of vaping products, especially among young people, citing health risks and nicotine addiction. The latest seizure is being viewed as a significant success in the government’s efforts to curb the illegal trade of banned electronic smoking devices and strengthen enforcement against cross-border smuggling networks.