New Delhi, Jul 24 (PTI) Customs officials have arrested 13 men for smuggling into the country over 7.5 lakh cigarette sticks, worth Rs 66 lakh, at Delhi international airport, officials said on Friday.

The accused were intercepted by the officials after their arrival from Dubai on Thursday.

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They were found to be carrying over 7.5 lakh cigarette sticks in their baggage, the customs officials said.

All the accused, aged between 26-40 years, worked as labourers and were stranded in Dubai due to COVID-19. They were probably lured into carrying the cigarettes in lieu of free flying tickets by the mastermind, the officials said.

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The cigarettes, worth Rs 66.6 lakh, have been seized and the accused were arrested, according to a statement issued by the customs.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)