In a major crackdown on the illegal trade of banned e-cigarettes, the Mumbai Police Crime Branch’s Property Cell has seized prohibited e-cigarette products worth ₹90.90 lakh within a span of three days. Following the operation, the police have intensified their probe into the supply chain and possible international links associated with the racket.
According to police sources, the smuggling was being carried out through online portals, with deliveries made directly to customers. The case first came to light on January 24, 2026, when a Crime Branch team was on patrol on J.S.S. Road. Near the Chirabazar bus stop, the police detained a delivery boy identified as Wasim Ibrahim Sayyed (36) after finding his movements suspicious.
During the search, a large quantity of foreign-made e-cigarettes manufactured by the JUUL company was recovered from his possession, along with an e-bike used for transportation. Following preliminary interrogation, the Crime Branch traced the accused’s network and monitored the next consignment. Acting on this input, another raid was conducted on January 27, during which additional stock was seized.
So far, the total seizure includes hundreds of JUUL e-cigarette devices and thousands of JUUL pods, along with the e-bike used for delivery. The total estimated value of the seized goods stands at ₹90,90,750.
A case has been registered against the accused under Sections 3, 4 and 7 of the E-Cigarettes Act, 2019, within the jurisdiction of the L.T. Marg Police Station.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of Property Cell in-charge Mangesh Desai and executed by Police Inspector Dada Gaikwad along with his team. The Crime Branch is now conducting a detailed investigation to identify the kingpin of the racket and uncover both the upper and lower links of the supply chain, with the aim of completely dismantling the illegal distribution network of banned products in the city.