In a significant action against the illicit trade of electronic cigarettes, the Vadodara police have made a major seizure and arrested one individual. The operation, conducted on Tuesday, led to the confiscation of e-cigarettes valued at over Rs 10 lakh from a residential apartment in the city.
SOG Raid Uncovers Illegal Stockpile
Acting on a specific tip-off, a team from the Vadodara Special Operations Group (SOG) carried out a raid at an apartment located on Ajwa Road. The information suggested that the occupant, identified as Saifan Iqbal Memon, was involved in the sale of banned electronic cigarettes. The raid proved fruitful as officers discovered and seized a substantial cache of the prohibited items.
During the search, police personnel recovered a total of 487 boxes containing various brands and models of e-cigarettes. The estimated market value of the confiscated consignment is a staggering Rs 10.42 lakh. This operation was part of a broader police drive targeting the sale and consumption of illegal tobacco products in the region.
Brands, Supplier, and Legal Action
Assistant Commissioner of Police (In-charge Crime) D J Chavda provided details about the seized items and the subsequent investigation. The e-cigarettes belonged to popular brands such as Elfbar and Yuoto DIGI. Specific models included Elfbar Combo Rechargeable, Elfbar Raya D3 Pro, Elfbar Moon night, Elfbar Raya D2, Yuoto DIGI, and Yuoto FOX, available in multiple flavours.
Initial interrogation of the arrested accused, Saifan Iqbal Memon, revealed that he had procured the stock from another Vadodara resident, Ibrahim Hanif Billawala from the Panigate area. Billawala has been declared wanted in this case, and police are actively investigating to track him down.
An FIR has been registered at the Bapod police station. Memon has been arrested under the relevant sections of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, and the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (PECA) Act, 2019. Both acts strictly prohibit the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage, and advertisement of e-cigarettes in India.
Crackdown on Banned Products
This seizure underscores the continued efforts by law enforcement agencies in Gujarat to clamp down on the underground market for electronic cigarettes. Despite a nationwide ban, these products often find their way to consumers through illicit channels. The Vadodara police's action, prompted by a tip-off received by ASI Jayendrasinh Bhimsinh, highlights the role of vigilant community information in such crackdowns.
The case remains under investigation as authorities work to dismantle the supply chain and apprehend the alleged supplier, Ibrahim Hanif Billawala. The successful raid serves as a stern warning to those involved in the illegal trade of banned tobacco products in the region.
