Illegal cigarettes worth over Rs 8 lakh seized

The Delhi State Tobacco Control Cell seized illegal cigarettes worth Rs 8 to 10 lakh during an anti-tobacco in Naya Baans area of Chawari Bazar here, officials said today.

The raid was conducted last late night and continued for nearly three hours, Additional Director (Health) S K Arora said.

A huge number of cartons of illegally imported cigarettes, without the mandatory health warning and the price printed on the packs, were seized, he said.

"However, as per vendor the approx market price of seized products is around Rs 8-10 lakh," Arora said.

According to the official, seizure memo has been created and necessary action under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003 will be initiated.

"The seller/ distributor is likely to be punished for such offences with imprisonment for one year or Rs 1,000 fine or both," he said.

"Though we have conducted several raids with focus on illicit trade but for the first time we have succeeded in unearthing this huge illicit tobaccos," the officer added.