Delhi Police bust ₹15 lakh illegal cigarette racket in Chawri Bazar
Synopsis
Delhi's Crime Branch dismantled a wholesale illegal cigarette network operating out of Chawri Bazar, seizing over 1.5 lakh imported cigarettes worth ₹15 lakh sourced from Thailand, Cambodia, and China — none carrying mandatory health warnings. One of the accused had a prior case from 2023, pointing to a persistent grey-market tobacco supply chain in the capital.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police Crime Branch seized 1,53,840 prohibited imported cigarettes worth approximately ₹15 lakh from Chawri Bazar, New Delhi on 10 May 2025 .
Two accused — Mohd Tausif (44, Shahdara) and Junaid Ahmed (35, Darbhanga, Bihar) — were arrested.
Cigarettes were allegedly sourced from Thailand , Cambodia , and China , and lacked mandatory health warnings under COTPA .
Seized brands included Esse Light White , Esse Light Gold , and Mond , among others.
Mohd Tausif was previously involved in a similar case in 2023 .
An FIR under Sections 7 and 20 of COTPA has been registered at the Crime Branch police station.
Delhi Police Crime Branch arrested two persons and seized 1,53,840 prohibited imported cigarettes worth approximately ₹15 lakh from the Chawri Bazar area of New Delhi on 10 May 2025, officials said. The contraband — sourced from Thailand, Cambodia, and China — lacked mandatory statutory health warnings required under Indian law, making them illegal for sale and distribution in the country.
How the Operation Unfolded
The ISC unit of the Crime Branch received specific intelligence on 6 May 2025 about illegal storage and wholesale trade of prohibited imported cigarettes in the Naya Bans Road area of Chawri Bazar. A special raiding team was constituted under Inspector Kamal Kumar Yadav and supervised by ACP Ramesh Lamba.
Simultaneous raids were conducted at two locations — a godown near Masjid Tabar Khan Wali in Fatehpuri and a shop on Naya Bans Road. The operation involved Sub-Inspectors Ashish Sharma and Gulab Singh, Assistant Sub-Inspectors Shailendra Singh and Jafruddin, and several head constables and constables.
What Was Seized and Who Was Arrested
At the godown, police apprehended Junaid Ahmed, approximately 35 years old, a resident of Darbhanga district, Bihar, and recovered 73,840 cigarettes. At the shop, Mohd Tausif, approximately 44 years old, a resident of Gagan Vihar, Shahdara, was arrested with an additional 80,000 cigarettes.
The seized brands included premium international labels such as Esse Light White, Esse Light Gold, and Mond, among others. None of the recovered packets carried the mandatory health warnings prescribed under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA).
The Alleged Supply Chain
During interrogation, Mohd Tausif reportedly disclosed that he procured imported cigarettes in bulk from suppliers who delivered consignments against advance payment. The cigarettes were allegedly distributed to traders and shopkeepers across Delhi and nearby areas, both wholesale and retail. Junaid Ahmed was identified as Tausif's employee, responsible for storage and supply operations from the godown.
Notably, Mohd Tausif had previously been found involved in a similar case registered in 2023, indicating a pattern of repeat offending in the illegal tobacco trade.
Legal Action
An FIR under Sections 7 and 20 of the COTPA Act was registered at the Crime Branch police station in Delhi. Both accused — Mohd Tausif and Junaid Ahmed — have been arrested in connection with the case. Investigators are reportedly probing the broader supply network to identify overseas suppliers and other distributors in the capital region.
Point of View
Cambodia, and China — and being redistributed wholesale across Delhi — this is not a street-level offence but a structured supply chain. The real test for investigators is whether they can roll up the overseas suppliers, not just the last-mile distributors.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was seized in the Delhi Police Chawri Bazar cigarette raid?
Delhi Police Crime Branch seized 1,53,840 prohibited imported cigarettes worth approximately ₹15 lakh from two locations in the Chawri Bazar area on 10 May 2025. The brands included Esse Light White, Esse Light Gold, and Mond, none of which carried mandatory health warnings required under Indian law.
Who were the two persons arrested in the Delhi cigarette racket case?
The two arrested are Mohd Tausif, 44, a resident of Gagan Vihar, Shahdara, who allegedly ran the wholesale operation, and Junaid Ahmed, 35, a resident of Darbhanga district in Bihar, who worked as Tausif's employee managing the godown. Both were arrested under Sections 7 and 20 of the COTPA Act.
Why are these imported cigarettes considered illegal in India?
The recovered cigarette packets did not carry the mandatory statutory health warnings prescribed under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), which is a legal requirement for all tobacco products sold in India. Their import and sale without these warnings violates Indian regulations.
Where were the cigarettes sourced from?
According to Mohd Tausif's disclosure statement during interrogation, the cigarettes were illegally imported from Thailand, Cambodia, and China. Suppliers reportedly delivered consignments after receiving advance payment.
Does the arrested accused have a prior criminal record?
Yes, officials confirmed that Mohd Tausif had previously been found involved in a similar COTPA-related case registered in 2023, suggesting a pattern of repeat involvement in the illegal tobacco trade.
