Muzaffarpur Police Bust Fake Cigar Factory; Foreign Link Found in Seized Stock

Muzaffarpur, January 17, 2026: Police in Muzaffarpur have uncovered a large-scale operation involving counterfeit cigars being sold as premium products, revealing a sophisticated supply network with potential international connections. The discovery comes after a raid on a warehouse in the Old Bazaar area near Sheetla Mata Mandir Road on Friday.

Fake Cigars Sold as Beedis
According to police, the suspects were distributing counterfeit cigars by misleading consumers into thinking they were premium products, while in reality, they were low-cost beedis. During the raid, authorities seized a substantial quantity of raw and finished goods, with the estimated value ranging between ₹1.5 crore and ₹2 crore. The stock was being secretly stored in a residential building and distributed to various locations.

Counterfeit ITC Products
The scam came to light following complaints to ITC officials that counterfeit goods bearing the company’s branding were being sold in the market. On receiving the complaints, local police conducted the raid and were surprised by the scale of the operation. Confiscated items included fake cigars, cigarettes, and other tobacco products branded as ITC products. Investigations revealed that the contraband materials were sourced from outside the district and stored at the warehouse before being circulated through a distribution network. Some of the seized items were reportedly destined for overseas markets.

Courier-Based Supply Network
Preliminary investigations indicate that the counterfeit products were being shipped via courier services. Many cartons were labeled with the proprietor’s name, Indramohan, along with an address near Rambagh Road, close to Kalajar Hospital, and included mobile contact numbers. The building used to store the counterfeit stock belonged to Abhishek Kumar, who rented it to Indramohan about a year ago. Abhishek Kumar provided the police with the rental agreement.

Ongoing Investigation
Police are now conducting a detailed investigation into the entire network, aiming to identify all individuals involved and trace the origin of the counterfeit materials. Authorities have warned that strict action will be taken against those responsible for the illegal production and distribution of these counterfeit tobacco products.