According to a report by the Kathmandu Post on January 13, the Nepal Department of Revenue Investigation (DRI) and the Nepal Police recently conducted a joint operation and seized a large number of illegally imported e-cigarettes that were smuggled into the country. The department stated that in the past two weeks alone, nearly 120,000 e-cigarettes have been confiscated.
These e-cigarettes are primarily smuggled into the country through the Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani checkpoints, with some reportedly entering through the Korala checkpoint as well. Despite the country's laws allowing for the importation of e-cigarettes after paying tariffs, smuggling activities remain rampant.
A week ago, law enforcement agencies carried out a raid on a warehouse in the Imadol area, seizing 86,000 e-cigarettes. Subsequently, 95 boxes containing a total of 19,000 e-cigarettes were seized in Mustang, 15,000 were seized in Pathlaiya, and 4,000 were seized in Butwal. The total market value of the e-cigarettes seized in the Imadol area is estimated to be over 250 million Nepalese Rupees (1.8 million USD). These e-cigarettes come in a variety of flavors and are priced between 1,500 and 25,000 Nepalese Rupees (10 to 180 USD) each.
On January 3rd, the police intercepted a vehicle transporting smuggled e-cigarettes near the Annapurna Conservation Area checkpoint and arrested the driver. The vehicle and driver have been handed over to the Nepal Department of Revenue Investigation (DRI) for further processing.
India is the primary market for these e-cigarettes, with many seized e-cigarettes intercepted while attempting to be smuggled through the southern border of Nepal.
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