Rajkot SOG busts illegal tobacco unit, two brothers arrested with ₹1.72 lakh stock
Synopsis
Rajkot's SOG didn't just seize counterfeit tobacco packets — it uncovered an entire shadow supply chain, complete with mixing machinery, paraffin oil, perfumed chemicals, and a bill book logging months of retail distribution. The ₹1,72,770 haul at 'Hiren Perfumery Works' points to a structured duplicate-tobacco operation that had been quietly supplying Rajkot retailers for at least four months.
Key Takeaways
Rajkot SOG raided a godown named 'Hiren Perfumery Works' on 27 August 2026 , busting an alleged illegal tobacco manufacturing unit.
Brothers Hiren Soneji, 51 , and Raju Soneji, 49 , were detained; both allegedly operated without a food-related licence.
Total seized property valued at ₹1,72,770 , including finished tobacco packets, raw materials, chemicals, and machinery.
A recovered bill book showed retail distribution entries from 18 April to 21 August 2026 , indicating months of alleged illegal sales.
Forensic and food safety examination was carried out by FSL officer Sameer Joshi and Food Safety Officer K.J.
Sarvaiya of the Rajkot Municipal Corporation .
The Special Operations Group (SOG) of Rajkot City Police, Gujarat, has dismantled an alleged illegal tobacco manufacturing unit at a godown on Kuwadva Road, detaining two brothers found operating without valid licences. The raid, conducted on 27 August 2026, led to the seizure of finished products, raw materials, chemicals, and machinery collectively valued at ₹1,72,770.
How the Raid Unfolded
Acting on confidential intelligence, the SOG team descended on a godown named 'Hiren Perfumery Works' at Chauhan Wadi, Street No. 11, Lati Plot, Rajkot. Inside, officers found Hiren Soneji, 51, and his brother Raju Soneji, 49, allegedly engaged in the manufacture and packaging of duplicate tobacco products. According to police, the duo possessed no supporting documents or food-related licence to justify the operation.
The brothers were reportedly supplying the counterfeit tobacco to various retailers across Rajkot, according to a bill book recovered at the site containing transaction entries from 18 April to 21 August 2026.
What Was Seized
The haul included a range of finished and semi-finished tobacco products. Among the seized items were 54 gold-coloured 500-gram tobacco packets valued at ₹10,800, 57 black-coloured 500-gram packets worth ₹11,400, 10 silver-coloured 200-gram packets worth ₹2,000, and 22 silver-coloured 500-gram packets worth ₹4,400.
Officers also seized a blue barrel containing 40.5 kg of tobacco valued at ₹16,200, a barrel holding approximately 150 litres of light liquid paraffin oil worth ₹22,500, and seven aluminium cans containing around 26 kg of perfumed liquid substances valued at ₹39,000. Additionally, 288 small plastic bottles marked 'Hiren P-Jan Flavour', a digital weighing scale, four kilograms of loose tobacco, and two mobile phones were recovered.
The equipment seized included a grinder, an electric motor-operated mixer, a machine for packing tobacco into small containers, and two electric packing machines. Hundreds of empty containers and packaging materials bearing brand names such as 'Himson Hiramoti', 'Sugam Tobacco 1030', and 'Hiren Perfumery Works' were also confiscated.
Officials Who Led the Operation
The raid was conducted under the supervision of SOG Police Inspector N.B. Chaudhary, supported by ASIs Arunbhai Bambhaniya, Siddhraj Singh Jadeja, and Rajeshbhai Bala, along with other SOG personnel. Preliminary forensic and food safety examination was provided by FSL officer Sameer Joshi and Food Safety Officer K.J. Sarvaiya of the Rajkot Municipal Corporation's health department.
What Happens Next
Police confirmed that further legal action is being pursued in connection with the alleged illegal manufacture and distribution of duplicate tobacco. The case highlights the challenge authorities face in curbing counterfeit food and tobacco products that bypass licensing and safety standards — a concern that food regulators across Gujarat have flagged repeatedly in recent years.
Point of View
Using legitimate-sounding trade names and retail bill books to mimic lawful businesses. The presence of paraffin oil and perfumed chemicals alongside packaging mimicking branded products raises food safety questions that go beyond mere licensing violations. Gujarat's food regulators have flagged counterfeit tobacco as a recurring problem, yet enforcement tends to be reactive rather than systematic. A bill book logging four months of distribution suggests the unit had enough runway to build a meaningful retail network — which means the downstream supply chain also warrants scrutiny.
NationPress
29 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was found in the Rajkot illegal tobacco unit raid?
The SOG seized finished tobacco packets, raw materials, chemicals including light liquid paraffin oil, perfumed liquid substances, mixing and packing machinery, empty branded containers, and a bill book — all with a combined assessed value of ₹1,72,770. The unit was operating without a food-related licence or supporting documents.
Who were arrested in the Rajkot tobacco raid?
Brothers Hiren Soneji, 51, and Raju Soneji, 49, were detained by the Rajkot City Police SOG. They were found allegedly manufacturing and storing duplicate tobacco at their godown, 'Hiren Perfumery Works', on Kuwadva Road.
When did the Rajkot SOG conduct the raid?
The raid took place on 27 August 2026, based on confidential information received by the SOG. Police announced the operation publicly on 29 August 2026.
What brands were being counterfeited in the Rajkot operation?
Packaging materials bearing names such as 'Himson Hiramoti', 'Sugam Tobacco 1030', and 'Hiren Perfumery Works' were recovered. The unit also had 288 small plastic bottles labelled 'Hiren P-Jan Flavour', indicating multiple product lines were being replicated.
What legal action is being taken against the two brothers?
Police have confirmed that further legal proceedings are underway in connection with the alleged illegal manufacture and sale of duplicate tobacco. Forensic and food safety assessments have been initiated by FSL officer Sameer Joshi and Food Safety Officer K.J. Sarvaiya of the Rajkot Municipal Corporation.
