Delhi Police seize over 2.82 lakh banned imported cigarettes worth Rs 1 crore
Delhi Police have arrested four people and seized 2,82,640 prohibited imported cigarettes worth more than Rs 1 crore in a major crackdown on the illegal
Delhi Police have arrested four people and seized 2,82,640 prohibited imported cigarettes worth more than Rs 1 crore in a major crackdown on the illegal tobacco trade in northeast Delhi, an officer said on Thursday. The operation was carried out in two phases. Police first recovered 12,640 imported cigarettes from three men in Karawal Nagar before seizing another 2.70 lakh cigarettes of various brands during a raid at a warehouse in Budhpur Industrial Area. The alleged supplier was later arrested. The operation began on August 4 after police received a tip-off about a consignment of prohibited imported cigarettes being delivered in Karawal Nagar.
A trap was laid in Shiv Vihar, where 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 them. The accused were identified as Ankit (35), Vishal (28) and Rahul (36), all residents of Karawal Nagar. During the search, police recovered 79 cartons containing 12,640 imported cigarettes manufactured in Indonesia," a senior police officer said. Police said the cigarette packets did not carry the mandatory health warnings required under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (COTPA) Act, making them illegal for sale in India.
The motorcycle used to transport the consignment was also seized. "Based on the recovery, an FIR was registered at Karawal Nagar police station under relevant provisions of the COTPA. During interrogation, the arrested men disclosed the identity of their supplier. Acting on the leads, the investigating team traced and arrested the alleged supplier, Neeraj Kapoor (55), from Delhi on Wednesday," the officer said. A follow-up raid at a warehouse in Budhpur Industrial Area led to the recovery of around 2.70 lakh more prohibited imported cigarettes of different brands. "With the latest seizure, the total recovery in the case reached 2,82,640 prohibited imported cigarettes valued at more than Rs 1 crore," the officer said.
Police said Rahul has one previous case of theft and snatching against him, while the other three accused have no criminal record. Further investigation is underway to trace the source of the cigarettes, examine financial transactions and identify others involved in the illegal supply network.
The BriefWire