The Customs Intelligence Unit (CIU) at Coimbatore International Airport intercepted a passenger arriving from Sharjah and seized a large quantity of foreign-origin cigarettes, electronic cigarettes (vapes), and smuggled gold concealed in clothing.
The interception took place on 1 August 2026, when the passenger arrived from Sharjah on Air Arabia Flight G9410. Acting on intelligence, CIU officers subjected the passenger and the checked-in baggage to a detailed examination.
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50,000 Foreign Cigarettes Recovered
During the examination of the checked-in baggage, Customs officers recovered 50,000 sticks of Esse Change foreign-origin cigarettes. The cigarettes were allegedly being brought into India in violation of the Customs Act and applicable import regulations.
The seizure reflects Customs’ continued crackdown on the illicit import of tobacco products, which often evade customs duty and health-related regulatory controls.
80 Elfbar Vapes Worth ₹8.76 Lakh Seized
Apart from the cigarettes, officers also recovered 80 Elfbar electronic cigarettes (vapes) with an estimated value of ₹8.76 lakh.
India has prohibited the production, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage and advertisement of electronic cigarettes under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019. Customs authorities have been intensifying surveillance at international airports to prevent the illegal entry of such products into the country.
Gold Paste Concealed in Jeans
The search further led to the recovery of 93 grams of gold paste, ingeniously concealed inside a pair of jeans. Smugglers increasingly use gold paste and other concealed forms of gold to evade customs detection and import duties.
The recovered gold has been seized in accordance with the provisions of the Customs Act, and authorities are expected to undertake further examination to determine its purity and exact market value after extraction.
Investigation Underway
Customs authorities have initiated further investigation to ascertain the intended recipients of the contraband, the smuggling network involved, and whether the passenger was acting as a carrier for an organised syndicate.
The seizure underscores the heightened vigilance of Customs officers at Indian airports against the smuggling of gold, prohibited electronic cigarettes, and foreign tobacco products from Gulf countries. Further legal action is being taken under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, along with other applicable laws governing prohibited imports.
