The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) continues its sustained crackdown on illicit trade and seized over 55,000 smuggled e-cigarettes at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, on 24th October 2026.
Acting on specific intelligence DRI officers intercepted two containers Nepal-bound transshipment consignment suspected to contain e-cigarettes. The goods had been mis-declared as “water glass” and “ceramic mugs” in another. A detailed examination of the first container led to the recovery of 40,000 pieces of e-cigarettes of brand IGET in various flavours, hidden among the declared cargo. Whereas, detailed examination of second container led to the recovery of around 15,000 pieces of e-cigarettes of various brands, including VTV, VOKO, Bang and Ejoy, hidden among the declared cargo.
In total around 55,000 e-cigarettes valued at Rs 13.50 crore were seized along with the cover cargo under relevant sections of Customs Act.
Electronic cigarettes and all Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) are prohibited in India under 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.
In the current FY 2026-27, DRI have already made seizure of around 3,00,000 e-cigarettes worth more than Rs. 120 crore in across various ports, airports, and ICDs in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal.