Guj police book hookah bar operator after FSL confirms nicotine in seized products

Ahmedabad, Aug 1 (AHN) An alleged illegal hookah bar operator in Ahmedabad has been booked under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) after forensic examination confirmed the presence of nicotine in tobacco products seized during a police raid, officials said on Saturday.

The Danilimda Police said the action followed a raid conducted on April 14 at a premises in Z.K. Estate-2, Kasamkhan Compound, near Suez Farm, where an illegal hookah bar was allegedly operating.

According to the police, the operation was carried out under the directions of senior Ahmedabad City police officers as part of an ongoing drive to curb the sale of intoxicating substances and shut down illegal hookah bars.

The raid was conducted under the supervision of Police Inspector C.T. Desai by a team led by Police Sub-Inspector D.J. Solanki, along with Assistant Police Constable Yogendrasinh Khumansinh, Police Constable Samirsinh Pratapsinh and Police Constable Harsh Rameshkumar.

Police said the raid was based on specific information received by Assistant Police Constable Yogendrasinh Khumansinh, who reported that the establishment was attracting customers from outside and serving hookahs containing nicotine-based flavoured tobacco instead of herbal flavours for commercial gain.

During the search, the police detained the alleged operator, identified as Baharuddin, 30, a resident of Z.K. Estate-2, Kasamkhan Compound, Danilimda, originally from Hojai district in Assam.

The police seized 40 packets and three boxes of different hookah flavours valued at Rs 12,000, 13 hookahs worth Rs 20,000, eight chillums, eight pieces of silver foil, eight filter pipes, five hookah pipes, 25 hookah pipe filters, cash amounting to Rs 14,250 and a warehouse electricity bill.

The total value of the seized property was estimated at Rs 46,250. Police said the seized material was sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory in Meghaninagar on April 23 for examination.

The laboratory subsequently confirmed the presence of nicotine in the seized products.

Following the forensic report, Danilimda Police registered a case under Section 7 and Section 20(2) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003 (COTPA).

Police said further legal proceedings against the accused are underway.