Hyderabad: Police busted a Nampally e-cigarette racket and apprehended three accused, seizing 999 banned electronic cigarettes worth ₹34,03,300. Officials said the Nampally e-cigarette racket used online platforms and delivery services to sell prohibited products.
Police registered the case as Crime No. 131/2026 under Sections 4 read with 7 of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act at Nampally Police Station. The Commissioner’s Task Force, Khairtabad Zone Team, carried out the operation along with local police based on credible intelligence.
Nampally e-cigarette racket exposed through coordinated raid
Acting on a tip-off, the team laid a trap near ‘A’ Battery Line at Bazarghat in Nampally. During the operation, officers apprehended Mohammed Ahmed while he attempted to deliver 180 banned electronic cigarettes on a two-wheeler with registration TS13D-9717.
Police also detained Mohammed Aszad Raza, also known as Arhan. He allegedly acted as the recipient of the contraband on instructions from Vinit Mantri. Based on this information, teams moved to Attapur, Upperpally. They then apprehended Mantri at his residence and seized a large stock of banned products.
Nampally e-cigarette racket operated via social media
Investigators said the accused created WhatsApp and Telegram groups to reach customers. Through these platforms, they shared stock details and facilitated sales.
Customers placed orders through these groups. Meanwhile, the accused collected payments using PhonePe. They also dispatched products through delivery services such as Rapido and Porter.
During the probe, police found that the accused sourced electronic cigarettes in bulk from a supplier identified as Ankit, a resident of Delhi. According to officials, the supplier sent consignments through parcel service channels.
Nampally e-cigarette racket leads to major seizure
On April 10 evening, the Task Force team and Nampally Police apprehended all three accused. During the operation, officers seized 999 electronic cigarettes, a Burgman two-wheeler, four mobile phones and packing materials.
Officials estimated the total value of the seized property at ₹34,03,300. They later handed over the accused and seized material to the Station House Officer of Nampally Police Station for further legal action.
The arrested persons were identified as Mohammed Ahmed, 36, a salesman from Vengalrao Nagar; Mohammed Aszad Raza alias Arhan, 30, a welder from Aghapura; and Vinit Mantri, 33, a private employee from Attapur.
Officials said Inspector P. Raghavender of the Khairtabad Zone Task Force supervised the operation. Sub-Inspector A. Krishna and staff from the Task Force and Nampally Police assisted in the raid.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Vaibhav Gaikwad Raghunath said authorities would continue strict action against the illegal sale of banned electronic cigarettes.