New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) : The Special Task Force (STF) of Delhi Police on Thursday has busted an illegal stocking and distribution network involving foreign-brand cigarettes and apprehended one person in connection with the case.
Acting on specific intelligence, the STF conducted a targeted raid at a shop in Naya Bans at Pan Mandi in Delhi’s Khari Baoli, and recovered 78,800 cigarette sticks belonging to nine international brands.
The seized cigarettes did not carry the mandatory pictorial health warnings prescribed under Indian law.
According to the police, secret information was received by the STF/North on October 7 regarding the illegal stocking and distribution of imported foreign cigarettes at Shop No. 6363, Naya Bans, Pan Mandi in Khari Baoli. Acting on the information, a dedicated team was constituted under the supervision of Inspector Ashish Kumar Dubey, STF In-charge, (North), and the guidance of ACP/Operations/North Vishesh Dhatterwal.
The team comprised Sub-Inspectors Saurav and Sartaj, Assistant Sub-Inspectors Rajiv and Shahir, Head Constables Nishant, Parveen and Mukul, and Constables Nishant and Mayank.
During the raid, the team apprehended Junaid Ahmed, 45, a resident of Naya Bans at Pan Mandi in Khari Baoli.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of 78,800 cigarette sticks of various foreign brands.
The seized stock included 32,200 sticks of Esse Lights, 32,000 of Mond, 5,200 of Esse Special Gold, 2,400 of Esse Golden Leaf, 2,400 of Win, 1,600 of Djarum Black, 1,400 of Dunhill Silver, 1,000 of Dunhill Black and 600 of Davidoff Gold.
Police said the cigarettes did not bear the mandatory pictorial health warnings required under Indian law.
Following the recovery, an FIR dated October 7, was registered under Sections 7/20 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) at Lahori Gate Police Station. Further investigation has been initiated.
During questioning, Ahmed disclosed that he had been working as a manager at a gutka shop in Naya Bans for the past six months.
Police said that, besides gutka, foreign-brand cigarettes were stocked in bulk at the premises and supplied in retail quantities as well as against specific orders.
According to the police, the cigarettes were procured from suppliers dealing in foreign-brand tobacco products and were allegedly being sold without the prescribed health warnings.
The owner of the shop was not present during the raid.
Police teams are making efforts to trace him and ascertain his alleged role in the procurement, storage and sale of the cigarettes.
Investigators are also working to identify the suppliers involved and trace the source and distribution network of the recovered consignment.
Police said further investigation is underway to establish the complete chain involved in the illegal procurement, stocking and distribution of the foreign cigarettes.
