The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has seized foreign-origin cigarettes worth nearly ₹45 lakh from a truck intercepted in Gorakhpur, with officials suspecting that the consignment entered India through Myanmar before being routed via Assam towards Delhi and other northern markets.
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The operation was carried out on May 23 after the agency received specific intelligence about a truck allegedly carrying smuggled foreign cigarettes. Acting on the input, DRI officers stopped the vehicle and conducted a detailed inspection.
Hidden Chamber Found Behind Driver’s Cabin
At first, the truck appeared to be carrying a regular commercial consignment. Officials found nearly 9.42 metric tonnes of bamboo pieces loaded inside the vehicle, giving the impression of a routine transport movement.
During a closer inspection, officers noticed unusual modifications behind the driver’s cabin. Further examination revealed a concealed compartment created with a welded steel partition. Inside the hidden chamber, officials recovered 30 cartons allegedly packed with foreign-origin cigarettes.
The seized cartons contained nearly three lakh cigarette sticks. Preliminary findings identified the products as Korean-made cigarettes, which officials believe were concealed in a sophisticated manner to avoid detection during routine checks.
Myanmar-Assam Route Under Investigation
Authorities estimate the market value of the seized cigarettes at around ₹45 lakh. Investigators suspect the consignment may be part of a larger interstate and cross-border smuggling network operating through the Myanmar-Assam route.
According to preliminary findings, the cigarettes were allegedly smuggled into India from Myanmar, moved through Assam and then transported towards Delhi. Officials suspect the consignment was meant for illegal distribution in urban markets where imported cigarette brands are sold at premium rates without proper taxation or regulatory clearance.
Sources associated with the probe indicated that the specially designed hidden chamber may have been used earlier as well. Investigators are examining whether the truck driver and transport handlers were linked to a wider organised syndicate involved in illegal tobacco trafficking.
DRI Tracks Wider Smuggling Network
The truck and the seized cigarettes have been taken into custody, and legal proceedings under relevant customs and anti-smuggling laws have been initiated. Officials are also examining transport documents, mobile communication records and financial transactions linked to the consignment.
Investigators are trying to identify the intended recipients, logistics handlers and supply chain network behind the seized shipment. The probe is also focused on tracing the origin, transit route and final distribution points connected to the case.
Enforcement data shows that foreign cigarette smuggling has seen a noticeable rise in northern India over the past year. During the last eight months, DRI teams have seized nearly 15.32 lakh foreign cigarette sticks from different parts of Uttar Pradesh, with a combined estimated value of around ₹2.32 crore.
