The Freedom Press
Hyderabad, October 27: Telangana’s EAGLE Force has intensified its investigation into the alleged illegal e-cigarette trade, estimated to exceed Rs 10 crore, following a raid on a shop in Sainikpuri and the seizure of 39 banned electronic cigarettes.
According to the details, the officials have detained two persons, identified as Ubais (20), the shop owner, and his cousin Hussainar PH (19), an employee at the outlet. Police also seized three mobile phones and a payment scanner.
Investigators suspect that the network used WhatsApp to receive orders, PhonePe to collect payments and delivery services to transport the banned products to customers. Police records reportedly indicate that 26 deliveries were made since August 3, while around 45 customers in Hyderabad have been identified.
According to the EAGLE Force the outlet allegedly sold three to four e-cigarettes daily. The police are examining digital communications, customer details and financial transactions to trace the supply chain.
According to investigators, the shop owner allegedly procured the products from a person identified as Arshad, a Kerala native who remains absconding. Financial transactions linked to entities in Kasaragod in Kerala and Dakshina Kannada in Karnataka are also under scrutiny.
Officials said seven shops and outlets had been raided over the past two months as part of the crackdown on the alleged illegal sale of e-cigarettes and vapes. Further investigation is underway to identify suppliers and others suspected of involvement in the network.
The sale and distribution of electronic cigarettes are prohibited in India under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019.
