On Friday, police in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India, arrested two individuals linked to an interstate racket distributing counterfeit cigarettes. The arrested suspects, Shadab Ali (30) and Shoaib Ali (32), were apprehended in the Para area after police seized a consignment of 3,940 packets of fake cigarettes worth approximately ₹10 lakh (around $12,000 USD). The counterfeit products were allegedly procured from suppliers in Delhi's Sadar Bazaar and smuggled into various states, including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The operation relied on a phone-based ordering system, allowing the suspects to evade detection by avoiding fixed retail locations. Police officials noted that this tactic complicated enforcement efforts, as there was no physical retail trail to follow. The arrests are part of a larger crackdown on illegal tobacco networks that reportedly result in significant revenue losses. Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify additional members of the supply chain and potential manufacturing units, with more arrests anticipated.