The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has seized around 13,000 e-cigarettes worth more than ₹4 crore at Mumbai’s JNPT/Nhava Sheva Port. So far in FY2026-27, the agency has seized nearly 3.55 lakh e-cigarettes valued at over ₹135 crore across multiple ports, airports and inland container depots.
New Delhi, November 10 — The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized around 13,000 e-cigarettes worth more than ₹4 crore at JNPT, also known as Nhava Sheva Port, in Mumbai as part of its crackdown on the illicit trade of prohibited electronic cigarettes.
Electronic cigarettes and all Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) are prohibited in India in the interest of public health.
According to the Finance Ministry, the latest operation is part of a broader enforcement drive against the illegal import and movement of such products.
During the ongoing 2026-27 financial year, DRI officers have seized around 3.55 lakh e-cigarettes valued at more than ₹135 crore across ports, airports and Inland Container Depots in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal.
₹3.5 crore foreign currency smuggling bid foiled
In a separate operation, DRI officers also foiled an attempt to smuggle foreign currency out of India at Kolkata airport.
Acting on specific intelligence, officers intercepted seven passengers travelling to Bangkok in the early hours of November 6.
Searches of the passengers and their hand and checked-in baggage led to the recovery of assorted US dollars and British pounds.
Foreign currency valued at ₹3.12 crore was recovered from the passengers, while the source reports the wider seizure at about ₹3.5 crore.
The currency was concealed using multiple methods, including hidden compartments inside trolley bags, notebooks, shoes and pockets of clothes packed inside baggage.
The passengers were unable to provide documents establishing lawful ownership or possession of the currency.
All seven were arrested and charged under provisions of the Customs Act read with FEMA regulations.
Drugs and elephant tusks also seized
The DRI also reported separate enforcement operations involving narcotics and wildlife trafficking.
On November 5, officers intercepted a passenger travelling by bus from Delhi to Bhopal and recovered three silver-coloured packets containing 6.642 kg of a crystalline white substance concealed inside the passenger’s luggage.
In Assam, DRI officers foiled a suspected wildlife trafficking attempt and seized two elephant tusks measuring 29 inches and 30 inches, with a combined weight of approximately 3.7 kg.
Commercial dealings in elephant tusks are prohibited under Indian law.
The multiple seizures underline DRI’s continuing crackdown on illicit trade involving prohibited e-cigarettes, undeclared foreign currency, illegal drugs and wildlife products.
