• DRI recovers 13,000 e-cigarettes at JNPT Port.
• Seized consignment valued at over ₹4 crore.
• Products concealed in cargo declared as mop rod handles.
• Around 3.55 lakh e-cigarettes seized nationwide in FY 2026–27.

GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 11th Nov: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized around 13,000 e-cigarettes worth more than ₹4 crore at Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) in Maharashtra, uncovering an attempt to smuggle prohibited electronic nicotine products into the country.

Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers intercepted an import consignment suspected of containing e-cigarettes. The goods had been misdeclared as “Mop Rod”.

A detailed examination of the container led to the recovery of 6,000 units of “Yuoto Thanos” e-cigarettes and 7,000 units of “Yuoto Lens” branded e-cigarettes. The products were concealed at the end of the container, behind the declared cargo of mop rod handles.

The DRI seized all 13,000 e-cigarettes along with the cover cargo under relevant provisions of the Customs Act. Their collective value was assessed at more than ₹4 crore.

E-Cigarettes Prohibited Under 2019 Law
Electronic cigarettes and all Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) are prohibited in Bharat under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019. The law bans their production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertisement to protect public health.

The latest seizure is part of the DRI’s wider action against illicit trade. During the current financial year 2026–27, the agency has seized around 3.55 lakh e-cigarettes valued at more than ₹135 crore across ports, airports and Inland Container Depots (ICDs) in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal.

The agency said the seizures reflect its continued efforts to curb cross-border smuggling and safeguard the country’s economic and public health interests.