Thane Police Bust Illegal E-Cigarette Trade Near Hiranandani Meadows
The Anti-Extortion Cell of Thane Police has uncovered an illegal trade in banned electronic cigarettes operating from a local betel nut shop near Hiranandani Meadows Circle in Thane. Police seized contraband comprising foreign-made cigarettes and nicotine-containing e-cigarettes valued at ₹88,000 during the raid.
A case has been registered against the 35-year-old shop operator, Anil Ravi Karkare, at the Chitalasar Police Station following the operation.
Acting on a tip-off that prohibited electronic cigarettes were being sold illicitly near Sachin Paan Shop at Hiranandani Meadows Circle, a police team laid a trap in the area on Monday evening. The operation was conducted under the guidance of Senior Police Inspector Shailesh Salvi and Assistant Police Inspector Bhushan Kapadnis.
During the surveillance and raid, officers intercepted Karkare while he was carrying a khaki box. A search of the package revealed foreign-made cigarettes of the ESSESE brand valued at ₹21,800. In addition, police recovered nicotine-infused e-cigarettes from brands including IGET, Elf Bar Raya D1, Lost Mary, and Yoto Lens, valued at ₹66,000.
Samples from the seized contraband have been sealed, and the remaining stash has been secured as evidence. Police confirmed that a case has been registered under Sections 4 and 7 of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019, with further investigation underway.
