Customs Department Foils Cigarette Smuggling Attempt at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport

Strategic Insights -

Airport officials intercepted two passengers carrying 1,40,200 cigarette sticks valued at approximately Rs 14 lakh at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Customs Department at Nagpur, acting under the guidance of Avinash Thete, Commissioner of Customs, Nagpur, launched a special operation to monitor passengers arriving from Sharjah.
  • Two passengers, Mohammad Zaki and Abdul Zahid, were stopped by alert customs officers for questioning after trying to pass through the green channel with three bags each.
  • Upon inspection, officials discovered 701 boxes of foreign-origin cigarettes, each containing 200 sticks, making a total of 1,40,200 cigarette sticks.
  • The seized cigarettes are valued at approximately Rs 14 lakh and were confiscated under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.
  • The operation was successfully carried out under the supervision of Rupendra Meshram, Assistant Commissioner, with support from various customs officers.
  • The seizure of foreign-origin cigarettes is aimed at preventing revenue loss and protecting public health, as such cigarettes are often sold illegally in the local market to avoid high import duties.
  • Further investigation is underway to determine the source and intended recipients of the smuggled goods.

Statistics:

  • 701 boxes of foreign-origin cigarettes were seized from the two passengers.
  • Each box contained 200 cigarette sticks, making a total of 1,40,200 cigarette sticks.
  • The seized cigarettes are valued at approximately Rs 14 lakh.
  • The operation was carried out under the supervision of Rupendra Meshram, Assistant Commissioner.
  • The seized cigarettes were confiscated under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

Sources:

  • "Customs Department Foils Cigarette Smuggling Attempt at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport", The Hitavada (2025) cited in Contify.com.