In a significant crackdown on the illegal trade of electronic smoking devices, the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Vadodara City Police conducted a successful raid on Tuesday. Acting on a specific intelligence tip-off, the police team targeted a residential society located on Ajwa Road, leading to the discovery of a large cache of banned vaping products.
Major Haul from Residential Premises
The police operation resulted in the seizure of vapes, commonly known as e-cigarettes, with an estimated market value of Rs 10 lakh. Officials confirmed that the contraband was stored inside a house within the housing colony. A meticulous count revealed that the police confiscated over 487 boxes containing the electronic nicotine delivery systems.
Arrest Made, Manhunt Launched
During the raid, the police apprehended one key suspect from the premises. The arrested individual has been identified as Saifan Baba Memon. However, a second accused managed to evade capture and is currently absconding. A search operation has been initiated to track down the fugitive.
Initial interrogation of the arrested accused, Saifan Baba Memon, provided crucial leads. Memon reportedly disclosed to the investigators that he had sourced the illegal stock from a trader based in the old city area of Vadodara. This information has prompted the police to widen their investigation to identify and apprehend the supplier involved in this illicit network.
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Action
The Vadodara police have registered a case and are delving deeper into the supply chain of these prohibited items. The sale, advertisement, and distribution of e-cigarettes are banned under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act, 2019. This seizure underscores the continued enforcement efforts against the underground market for vaping products in the city.
The police action sends a strong message against the flouting of central government bans. Authorities have urged citizens to provide any information related to such illegal activities, assuring strict action against those involved in the trade of banned substances and devices.
