Smuggling of foreign-made cigarettes rises

GUWAHATI: After dealing with the smuggling of drugs and gold, the anti-vice cell of the state police is now faced with rising instances of cigarette smuggling, brought into the region from neighbouring south Asian countries via Manipur and Nagaland.

“Smugglers bring the items to Guwahati. From here, they are distributed to other parts of the country and neighbouring states. Most of these cigarettes cost less than those made in India. As these cigarettes are not duty paid and many brands have price tags in foreign languages, traders make quite a bit of profit,” sources said.

On Wednesday, state police CID seized foreign-made cigarettes worth Rs 30 lakh from a parking zone at Gopal Than here. “Around 35 cartons of foreign-made cigarettes were found concealed in a truck coming from Nagaland. One person was detained,” sources said. Most of the seized products were made in Myanmar or Korea and are believed to have higher nicotine content that the ones sold in India.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/smuggling-of-foreign-made-cigarettes-rises/articleshow/59066619.cms