The accused have been identified as Sandeep, 28, a resident of Roja Jalalpur in Bisrakh, and Sandeep alias Sanjeev alias Sunny, 25, a resident of Garhi Chaukhandi under Phase 3 Police Station. (Pankaj Rai)
Noida: Gautam Buddh Nagar Police have busted an alleged counterfeit cigarette manufacturing and packaging operation, arresting two men accused of repacking tobacco products in empty boxes of popular cigarette brands and selling them to shopkeepers as genuine products.
The Phase 2 Police team recovered three packaging machines, 4,940 empty cigarette boxes, loose tobacco, cigarettes and a Toyota Glanza car allegedly used to transport the counterfeit products.
DCP Central Noida Dr Praveen Ranjan Singh shared details of the operation during a press briefing. Acting under the supervision of Additional DCP Swatantra Kumar Singh, the police team intercepted the suspects near Pusta Road in Kakarala and arrested them.
The accused have been identified as Sandeep, 28, a resident of Roja Jalalpur in Bisrakh, and Sandeep alias Sanjeev alias Sunny, 25, a resident of Garhi Chaukhandi under Phase 3 Police Station.
During questioning, the accused allegedly revealed that they collected empty cigarette boxes, filled them with tobacco and used machines to reseal the packages to make them resemble original branded products.
They then supplied the counterfeit cigarettes to small shopkeepers by presenting them as genuine products, earning profits through the alleged deception.
The police recovered 3,500 empty Gold Flake boxes and 1,440 empty Capstan boxes from the accused. The seizure also included 700 grams of loose tobacco, 128 Gold Flake cigarettes and 57 Capstan cigarettes.
Three machines allegedly used to wrap and reseal the cigarette boxes were also seized, along with a Toyota Glanza reportedly used for transporting the goods.
Police said the second accused, Sandeep alias Sanjeev alias Sunny, has three criminal cases registered against him at Pahasu Police Station in Bulandshahr. These include cases related to robbery, attempt to murder and the Gangsters Act.
A case has been registered at Phase 2 Police Station under FIR No. 535/2026. The charges include Sections 318(4) and 349 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 104 of the Trade Marks Act.
Police are now investigating the wider network, including the alleged main operator and other individuals involved in the supply and distribution of counterfeit cigarettes.
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