Kochi: In a major haul the Kochi City police on Saturday seized smuggled cigars and foreign cigarettes from Thevara worth Rs 40 lakh. The police seized the goods from a godown in Mattummal Junction near Thevara in the wee hours of Saturday. Police arrested Ayoob of Kuttiyadi, Kozhikode, who rented out the go-down. Shadow Police wing of the city police conducted a surprise ride at the godown after a tip off.
Pursuant to the arrest Kochi city police commissioner M.P. Dinesh has ordered a detailed probe into the illicit import of tobacco products. “We will take effective steps to curb the illicit sale of tobacco products in the city,” he said. The police seized cigar and cigarettes made in Germany, Scotland, France and other countries. Apart from tobacco products the cops also found cigar pipes, rolling papers and other related products.
In a press release police stated that the tobacco products in the price range of Rs 50 to Rs 4,000 were seized. Police suspect that a group is behind the import of tobacco products and they are focused on selling these goods to students and foreigners. Police found that none of the packets carried the statutory warning. The packets also contained flavoured cigarettes and liquid nicotine products.
