Delhi Police have arrested four people and seized more than 2.82 lakh prohibited imported cigarettes worth over Rs 1 crore in a major crackdown on the illegal tobacco trade in northeast Delhi. The operation was carried out in two phases, leading to recoveries from Karawal Nagar and a warehouse in the Budhpur Industrial Area. Police said the cigarettes lacked the mandatory statutory health warnings required under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), making them illegal for sale in India.
The operation began on August 4 after police received specific intelligence about a consignment of prohibited imported cigarettes being delivered in the Karawal Nagar area. Acting on the tip-off, a police team laid a trap in Shiv Vihar. At around 4.30 pm, three men arrived on a motorcycle carrying gunny bags and waited for a customer. When no one turned up and they attempted to leave, the police intercepted and arrested them.
The three accused were identified as Ankit (35), Vishal (28) and Rahul (36), all residents of Karawal Nagar. During the search, officers recovered 79 cartons containing 12,640 imported cigarettes manufactured in Indonesia. Police also seized the motorcycle allegedly used to transport the contraband. An FIR was registered at Karawal Nagar Police Station under relevant provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, and the accused were taken into custody for questioning.
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Based on information gathered during interrogation, investigators identified the alleged supplier as Neeraj Kapoor (55). He was arrested from Delhi on Wednesday, following which police conducted a raid at a premises in the Budhpur Industrial Area. The search resulted in the recovery of nearly 2.70 lakh additional prohibited imported cigarettes of various brands, significantly expanding the scope of the case.
With the latest recovery, the total seizure has reached 2,82,640 prohibited imported cigarettes valued at more than Rs 1 crore. Police said Rahul has a previous criminal record involving a theft and snatching case, while the remaining three accused have no known criminal history. Investigators are continuing efforts to trace the source of procurement, examine financial transactions linked to the operation and identify the wider supply network involved in the illegal import and distribution of prohibited cigarettes.
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