<p class="bodytext">Industry chamber FICCI's arm on Monday said several cases of seizures by enforcement agencies of smuggled imported cigarettes reported in the last few months indicate a spike in cigarette smuggling during the coronavirus-induced lockdown.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-in-india-live-updates-today-lockdown-50-maharashtra-karnataka-tamil-nadu-mumbai-bangalore-delhi-bengaluru-kolkata-chennai-covid-19-news-world-narendra-modi-843634.html">Follow live updates on the COVID-19 pandemic here</a></strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">FICCI CASCADE (Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy), said the seizure of foreign brand cigarettes worth Rs 11.88 crore from a container at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Navi Mumbai on June 12, by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is one of the biggest seizures since lockdown.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"The trend is nationwide, with seizures intercepted via road transport, in cargo and passenger luggage," FICCI CASCADE said in a statement.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Expressing concern FICCI CASCADE Chairman Anil Rajput said, "cigarette smuggling is a big racket across the globe and India continues to remain a hot bed for this menace. Even as the country is grappling with the coronavirus crisis, the seizures of such goods remain high."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Citing a recent study, FICCI CASCADE said while cigarette smuggling has now become highly lucrative activity, it has caused 3.34 lakh job losses and urged for more active vigilance.</p>
<p class="bodytext">Industry chamber FICCI's arm on Monday said several cases of seizures by enforcement agencies of smuggled imported cigarettes reported in the last few months indicate a spike in cigarette smuggling during the coronavirus-induced lockdown.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/coronavirus-in-india-live-updates-today-lockdown-50-maharashtra-karnataka-tamil-nadu-mumbai-bangalore-delhi-bengaluru-kolkata-chennai-covid-19-news-world-narendra-modi-843634.html">Follow live updates on the COVID-19 pandemic here</a></strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">FICCI CASCADE (Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy), said the seizure of foreign brand cigarettes worth Rs 11.88 crore from a container at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Navi Mumbai on June 12, by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is one of the biggest seizures since lockdown.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"The trend is nationwide, with seizures intercepted via road transport, in cargo and passenger luggage," FICCI CASCADE said in a statement.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Expressing concern FICCI CASCADE Chairman Anil Rajput said, "cigarette smuggling is a big racket across the globe and India continues to remain a hot bed for this menace. Even as the country is grappling with the coronavirus crisis, the seizures of such goods remain high."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Citing a recent study, FICCI CASCADE said while cigarette smuggling has now become highly lucrative activity, it has caused 3.34 lakh job losses and urged for more active vigilance.</p>