In a major breakthrough against contraband trade, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Chennai has seized illegally imported foreign cigarettes worth ₹18.2 crore, dealing a heavy blow to smuggling syndicates.
Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officials inspected a shipping container that arrived on June 23 at the J-Matadee Free Trade and Warehousing Zone (FTWZ). The shipment was falsely declared as “bathroom and sanitary fittings” from Dubai. However, a detailed examination revealed 92.1 lakh sticks of cigarettes from brands like Manchester United Kingdom, Manchester UK Special Edition, and Mac Ice Superslims Cool Blast.
The consignment not only violated customs regulations but also breached India’s public health laws. The foreign cigarette packs lacked mandatory statutory health warnings, violating provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003.
The entire stock was seized under the Customs Act, 1962, and a detailed probe has been launched to identify and dismantle the network behind the operation.
This seizure is part of a larger crackdown—in the past year alone, Chennai DRI has confiscated 4.4 crore illegal cigarettes valued at nearly ₹79.67 crore.
Authorities stress that such smuggling operations not only impact revenue but also pose serious risks to public health and safety.