Indore (Madhya Pradesh): The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the customs department recovered 35,000 counterfeit cigarettes (175 cartons) from a passenger who flew in from Sharjah, at Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar (DABH) International Airport here on Sunday night.

According to official information, the AIU officers of Indore Customs under the Customs Commissionerate intercepted a passenger arriving in Air India Express flight IX 256 from Sharjah on Sunday night. After checking, the AIU officers recovered 175 packets of cigarettes hidden in his check-in as well as hand baggage, containing a total of 35,000 cigarettes.

Prima facie examination of the recovered cigarette packets revealed that the name of Gold Flake brand of the ITC had been misused. The preliminary examination suggested that the recovered cigarettes were counterfeit and illegally produced outside India. Further Investigation in the matter is underway. These days, smugglers are bringing counterfeit cigarettes using Indian brand names, causing loss to the Indian manufacturers as well as the government exchequer.

Customs officers of the city had made a similar haul at DABH International Airport on September 26 last year and 30,000 counterfeit cigarettes were seized under the Customs Act, 1962. Infringement of Intellectual Property Rights was also confirmed in that case. Meanwhile, in the current financial year 2024-25, Indore customs officers seized foreign currency worth Rs 26 lakh, cash worth Rs 24 lakh and foreign origin gold, I-phones and laptops etc at Indore airport.