Hyderabad Customs officials have intercepted two passengers arriving from Dubai and seized a significant quantity of foreign-origin cigarettes and gutka at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA).
According to official information shared by Hyderabad Customs, the interception was made on February 10, 2026, following spot profiling of passengers arriving on Emirates flight EK 524 from Dubai. The officers detected 77,800 sticks of foreign-origin cigarettes and 2,340 pouches of gutka concealed in the baggage of two individuals.
The seized goods have been valued at approximately Rs. 8.01 lakh.
Customs authorities stated that the interception was based on targeted profiling and intelligence inputs. The recovery highlights ongoing efforts by airport customs formations to curb the smuggling of prohibited and restricted goods through international routes.
Import of foreign-origin cigarettes without proper declaration and payment of applicable duties constitutes a violation under the Customs Act, 1962. Additionally, the import and possession of gutka and certain tobacco products are subject to regulatory restrictions in India, depending on applicable food safety and public health laws.
Officials confirmed that further investigation is underway to determine the source, intended distribution network, and whether the case is linked to a larger smuggling syndicate.
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) continues to intensify surveillance at major international airports to prevent revenue leakage and curb the illicit trade of tobacco products.
