KOTTAYAM: Despite the widespread seizure of prohibited tobacco products, mafia gangs are taking advantage of loopholes in the law to enter the field again. Counterfeit cigarettes in various flavours and banned tobacco products like Hans, Cool Lip and Shambhu are available in shops. Even if the police catch these products that are sold at a huge profit, the seller can get away with paying a fine. The intelligence department has warned that by the time of Sabarimala season, a large quantity of banned tobacco products will cross the border. Most of their customers are migrant workers. There are people who deliver bundles of goods to their camps. However, only a fraction of what is sold is seized. Excise and police going only after drug gangs are also helping these people.

Low-risk, high-profit

The reason people turn to illicit tobacco sales is because they can make lucrative profits with less risk. Smuggling of these products is rampant through Kumily and Aryankavu check posts. Even when widespread inspections are going on, the banned products are crossing the border escaping the eyes of the authorities. Luxury cars, vegetable carts and KSRTC buses are used to transport it. After reaching the district, it is packed in small packages and taken to various centres. A packet fetching less than five rupees is sold for more than seventy rupees and the profit is tenfold.

Easy bail, fine Rs.200

The case comes under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COPTA) which handles the prevention of manufacture and use of tobacco products. The fine is just Rs.200. Selling these products near a school or giving them to students can lead to remand under the Juvenile Justice Act, but the case often goes unpunished because it's difficult to prove in court.