Bhubaneswar: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized foreign cigarettes worth approximately Rs 35 lakh at the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar and detained five persons on charges of smuggling cigarettes.
According to reports, the accused, hailing from Rampur district in Uttar Pradesh, were caught by DRI at the airport while bringing bags full of foreign cigarettes from Dubai. Two iPhones and 17 mobile phones were recovered from them.
Preliminary investigations reveal that the group was involved in a smuggling racket, regularly shuttling between Dubai and Bhubaneswar to bring in foreign cigarettes. Their plan was to transport the contraband to Kolkata for illicit sale.
According to reports, the accused were bringing bags full of foreign cigarettes from Dubai. Five persons from Rampur district in Uttar Pradesh were detained and questioned in connection with the case. During the search, two iPhone 17 mobile phones were also seized from them.
It is learnt that eight people had arrived from Dubai, and large quantities of cigarettes were recovered from the remaining three individuals. However, since those cigarettes were domestically produced, they will be released after payment of a hefty fine.
