Key Points
- India seized 300,000 vapes;
- Products worth over ₹120 crore;
- Shipments allegedly from China;
- Multiple ports and airports involved.
2Firsts
May 22, 2026
According to Marksmen Daily, India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has dismantled a large illegal e-cigarette smuggling operation through coordinated enforcement actions across multiple states.
The operation covered:
- Maharashtra;
- Gujarat;
- Delhi;
- and West Bengal.
DRI said the crackdown was conducted over the past several days at ports, airports, and Inland Container Depots (ICDs).
Authorities said the operation followed intelligence inputs regarding suspicious import shipments entering India.
Investigators tracked and intercepted multiple consignments that were allegedly deliberately mis-declared to evade customs scrutiny.
Following detailed inspections, officials seized approximately 300,000 e-cigarettes and vaping devices covering various brands, flavors, and specifications.
The total estimated value of the seized products exceeded ₹120 crore (approximately $14 million).
Investigators found that the products were primarily imported from China and falsely declared as:
- “Furniture”;
- and “Metal Chair Parts”
to avoid detection by customs authorities.
DRI stated that under India’s Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019, electronic cigarettes and all Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) are prohibited from:
- production;
- manufacture;
- import;
- export;
- transport;
- sale;
- distribution;
- storage;
- and advertisement.
Indian authorities said the law was enacted to protect public health, particularly young people, from nicotine addiction and vaping-related risks.
DRI said further investigations are ongoing to identify the individuals, importers, and smuggling networks involved in the operation.
India has continued strengthening enforcement against vaping products in recent years.
Although e-cigarettes remain fully banned in India, illegal imports and underground sales continue to persist.
Analysts said the multi-state operation reflects India’s increasing focus on border enforcement and interagency coordination to combat illegal vaping trade.
（CoverImage source: Marksmen Daily）
