NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 10, 2026: Acting on specific intelligence, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officers intercepted one import consignment suspected to contain e-cigarettes wherein the goods were mis-declared as “Mop Rod”. A detailed examination of the container led to 6,000 pieces of E-cigarettes “Yuoto Thanos” and 7,000 pieces of “Yuoto Lens” branded e-cigarettes, concealed at the end of the container amidst the declared cargo of Mop Rod (Handle).
In total, 13,000 e-cigarettes along with the cover cargo collectively valued at over Rs 4 crore were seized under relevant sections of the Customs Act.
Electronic cigarettes and all Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) are prohibited in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act, 2019, enacted in the interest of public health and to protect people from harm.
In the current FY 2026-27, DRI have seized around 3,55,000 e-cigarettes worth more than Rs. 135 crore in across various ports, airports, and ICDs in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal.
These seizures highlight DRI’s continued commitment to combating cross-border smuggling and protecting the country’s economic and public health interests.
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