Hyderabad police bust banned e-cigarette racket, arrest six and seize goods worth Rs 7.06 lakh
Hyderabad: The Commissioner’s Task Force, Golconda Zone, and Gudimalkapur Police busted an alleged banned e-cigarette racket in Hyderabad on Saturday. Police arrested six persons and seized products and other property worth approximately Rs 7.06 lakh.
Acting on a tip-off, the joint team raided Smoke Vault at Gandam Complex, near Olive Hospitals, Nanal Nagar, Gudimalkapur. Police arrested store owner Abdullah Arshed (29) and five workers. However, another accused, Shareef, who reportedly operated from Dubai, remained absconding.
The operation uncovered a stock of prohibited vaping products, electronic devices and a two-wheeler allegedly linked to the business. During the raid, police seized several brands of high-capacity disposable e-cigarettes. These included Crown Bar, Elf Bar, Lost Mary, IGET and Yuoto.
The seized stock also contained vaping liquids, refillable devices, cartridges and 1,000 OCB rolling papers. Additionally, officers recovered seven mobile phones, two Paytm swiping machines and a Suzuki Access 125 scooter.
Police suspected that the accused used the scooter to transport and supply the prohibited products. The total estimated value of the seized goods and other property stood at Rs 7,06,800.
Police trace alleged supply network to Dubai
According to investigators, Abdullah Arshed and his five workers hailed from Kerala. Police said Arshed initially traded in chocolates and hookah products in Kasaragod. He subsequently moved to Dubai in 2016 and worked for an information technology company.
Later, he relocated to Hyderabad and established Smoke Vault. Police identified Nanal Nagar, Gudimalkapur and Madhapur as locations associated with his business operations. Investigators alleged that Arshed entered into a business arrangement with his Dubai-based friend, Shareef.
Under the alleged arrangement, Shareef supplied banned e-cigarettes in bulk for distribution in Hyderabad. Police said Arshed and his workers then sold the products to customers for illegal profits.
Investigators identified Shareef as an accused in the alleged banned e-cigarette racket. He remained at large following the raid.
Six arrested as police register case
Following the raid, Task Force personnel apprehended Arshed and the five workers at the Smoke Vault store. Police registered a case at Gudimalkapur Police Station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019.
The operation took place under the supervision of M. Mahesh, Inspector of Police, Commissioner’s Task Force, Golconda Zone. Sub-Inspector G. Vijayanand and his team carried out the arrests in coordination with Gudimalkapur Police.
Police continued investigating the alleged supply arrangements and the involvement of the accused in distributing prohibited vaping products. Further investigation was underway.