Imported Cigarettes Worth Around Rs. 30 Lakhs Seized at Amritsar Airport

Imported cigarettes worth almost Rs. 30 lakhs have been seized by the customs department at Amritsar airport. A smuggling case has been booked and further investigation is underway. The airline staff said that two passengers had traveled on the same flight from Dubai on the previous day but without these bags.

The customs department at Shri Guru Ramdas International Airport in Amritsar seized 11 bags containing around 2,60,400 ESSE Golden Leaf cigarettes coming from Dubai in a Spice Jet SG 56 flight. They were valued at Rs. 29.5 lakhs approximately. According to the airline, “The bags were with the airline’s staffers as ‘rush bags’ and on noticing some suspicious images on scanning, one bag was opened and it was found containing the imported cigarettes.”

Officers of Amritsar Customs (P) Commissionerate posted at SGRDJI Airport booked a case of smuggling of foreign brand ESSE Golden Leaf cigarettes coming from Dubai and seized around 2,60,400 cigarettes valued at Rs 29.5 Lacs(approx.).
Further investigation is underway. pic.twitter.com/UIW901Jlvr

— Amritsar Customs (@AmritsarCustoms) March 6, 2023

The staff reportedly informed the customs department that two passengers traveled by the same flight the previous day, March 4, 2023, from Dubai but these bags didn’t arrive with them. Further investigation is underway.

Back in January, almost 2,000 undeclared cigarette cartons were seized by Customs Officers in a courier cell in Mumbai totaling over Rs. 30 lakhs. These cartons were mixed with shipments that had to be exported to London, England.

Vineet Washington