Archive · 11 Sep 2026
1,375 Banned Tobacco Packets Seized in Thiruvananthapuram; Assam Man Held
Police in Thiruvananthapuram found many packets of tobacco products that cannot legally be sold in Kerala.
They found 1,375 packets during a raid on a rented house in Kazhakuttam.
The raid happened after police received a tip.
The products included pan masala and were kept in bags in different rooms.
Police arrested Ziarul Haque, a 42-year-old man from Assam.
They said he brought the products from other states where they can be sold legally.
He allegedly sold them in Thiruvananthapuram at higher prices.
Police are checking whether other people helped him.
Police seized 1,375 packets of banned tobacco products in Kazhakuttam, Thiruvananthapuram.
Ziarul Haque, 42, from Assam’s Nagaon district, was arrested.
Police said the products included pan masala and were stored in multiple bags and rooms.
Haque allegedly procured the products from states where their sale is permitted and sold them at higher prices in Thiruvananthapuram.
Kazhakuttam police registered a case under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act and are investigating possible links to others.
- Who
- Ziarul Haque, 42, from Saidoria in Assam’s Nagaon district, was arrested by Kazhakuttam police.
- What
- Police seized 1,375 packets of banned tobacco products and registered a case under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act.
- When
- The house was raided around 11 p.m. on Thursday; the seizure and arrest were reported on Friday, September 11.
- Where
- Haque’s rented house in Kazhakuttam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
- Why
- Police allege Haque brought the products from other states and sold them at higher prices despite the ban on chewing tobacco and pan masala in Kerala.
- Seized products
- 1,375 packets of banned tobacco products
- Arrested
- Ziarul Haque, 42
- Origin
- Saidoria, Nagaon district, Assam
- Raid location
- A rented house in Kazhakuttam, Thiruvananthapuram
- Products mentioned
- Pan masala and other tobacco products
- Applicable law
- Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act
- Police investigation
- Authorities are checking whether more people were involved