Cigarette smuggling has surged sharply across India in recent years, with Goa emerging as a major transit hub thanks to its long coastline and convenient maritime access for consignments arriving from Dubai. Despite intensified crackdowns by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), customs and police, smugglers continue to exploit tax loopholes and devise sophisticated concealment methods to keep the illicit trade thriving.
Goa’s strategic location and relatively porous coastal borders make it a preferred entry point for contraband. Smugglers frequently disguise cigarette shipments under legitimate cargo, such as construction materials or sanitary fittings, enabling them to slip past customs checks. From Goa, these consignments are routed to markets across India.
Authorities have recorded several major seizures in recent months, uncovering hidden compartments inside containers and unearthing instances of official collusion. Millions of smuggled cigarette sticks, worth crores of rupees, have been confiscated, with arrests and suspensions following in multiple cases.