Team Goemkarponn
MARGAO: In a special drive to curb drug abuse and enforce tobacco control laws, South District Police conducted raids at multiple establishments in Margao, Vasco, Benaulim and Colva, seizing e-cigarettes worth over ₹6.83 lakh. The crackdown was carried out at six locations, including Shahi Hookah in Margao, Al-Abrab shops near Old Collectorate, Benaulim and Colva, and a store near Cine Vasco. During the operation, police registered several cases under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019 and the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003. At Shahi Hookah, accused Ayan Shaikh of Navelim was caught selling e-cigarettes worth ₹40,000 and later released on bail. Similarly, at Al-Abrab near Old Collectorate, two accused—Sunaidh and Suhail Nadaf—were booked for illegal possession and sale of e-cigarettes and imported cigarettes without mandated health warnings, with seizures worth ₹5.32 lakh. At Vasco, Siraj Ali was arrested for possession of e-cigarettes valued at ₹51,000, while in Benaulim, accused Mohammad Jasar and Kranti Prakash D’Souza were nabbed for selling e-cigarettes worth ₹60,000. All accused were arrested and later released on bail. The operations were carried out under the supervision of South Goa SP Tikam Singh Verma along with SDPOs and Police Inspectors from Margao, Vasco and Colva, with investigations continuing.
