New Delhi, Dec. 2 -- The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 45,984 prohibited e-cigarettes worth Rs 10.42 crore at Tuticorin Port, uncovering a major smuggling racket and arresting three people linked to the operation. According to information from the Ministry of Finance, the goods were found hidden behind cartons of umbrellas inside an imported container.

"Based on specific intelligence that a gang involved in smuggling of e-cigarettes had planned to import a container containing e-cigarettes from China into India through Tuticorin Port in the guise of umbrella," the ministry said. Acting on the alert, the officers intercepted the container on November 27, 2025, soon after it arrived at the port. The team decided to c...