New Delhi (Agency): In a determined crackdown on the illegal possession and sale of e-cigarettes, the Barke police in Mangaluru conducted a raid on the Saibeen Complex on Monday, August 21, arresting four individuals and seizing e-cigarettes worth Rs 2,70,000.
The police operation targeted three shops – Amantrana, Unique World, and Fantastic World – within the complex. The case has been registered under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act 2019, the COTPA Act 2023, and the Cigarettes and other tobacco products (Packing and Labeling Rules 2020).
The accused were identified as Swathi, 26, from Sullia; Shivakumar, 34, from Mannagudde; Hassan Sharif, 50, from Kuttar Padav; and Rahmatullah, 45, from Jeppu. Among the four arrested, two were later released on bail and produced in court.
The raid was directed by Police commissioner Kuldeep Jain, DCPs Anshu Kumar and Dinesh Kumar, ACP Mahesh Kumar, and the personnel from Barke police station.
This was not the first time these particular shops have been targeted by law enforcement. On March 30, a similar raid led to the confiscation of e-cigarettes worth Rs 6.8 lakh from the same locations.
The sale of e-cigarettes in India was banned in 2019, with the government citing concerns over the health risks associated with vaping, particularly among the youth. The prohibition includes the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage, and advertisement of e-cigarettes.
The actions by the Barke police are part of broader efforts by authorities to enforce compliance with the laws surrounding tobacco products. These operations send a strong message to vendors and consumers alike, reinforcing the commitment to public health and the rule of law. The recurrence of such activities within the same shops underscores the challenges in completely eradicating this illegal trade and emphasizes the necessity for ongoing vigilance by law enforcement agencies.
