Banned E-Cigarette Racket Busted in Hyderabad; One Accused and Five Workers Held
The Freedom Press
Hyderabad, November 14: The Commissioner’s Task Force, Golconda Zone, in a joint operation with Gudimalkapur Police, busted an alleged banned e-cigarette racket operating from a store named ‘Smoke Vault’ at Gandam Complex, near Olive Hospitals, Nanal Nagar, Gudimalkapur, Hyderabad.
Police apprehended the alleged shop owner, Abdullah Arshed (29), and five workers in connection with the case. Another person, identified as Shareef, who is reportedly based in Dubai, is absconding.
During the raid, police seized a large quantity of banned e-cigarettes, refillable vaping devices, liquid bottles, 1,000 OCB rolling papers, seven mobile phones, two Paytm swiping machines and a Suzuki Access 125 scooter allegedly used for supplying the products. The total value of the seized property was estimated at ₹7,06,800.
According to the police, the accused and his workers are natives of Kasaragod district in Kerala. The main accused had initially dealt in chocolates and hookah products in Kerala before moving to Dubai in 2016, where he reportedly worked for an IT company. He later shifted to Hyderabad and established the Smoke Vault business, dealing in chocolates and hookah-related products in Nanal Nagar, Gudimalkapur and Madhapur.
Police said the accused allegedly entered into an arrangement with his Dubai-based acquaintance, Shareef, to procure banned e-cigarettes in bulk and sell them in Hyderabad for illegal profits. The consignments were reportedly supplied from Dubai, and the accused allegedly distributed the products to customers with the assistance of his workers.
Acting on a tip-off, the Task Force team raided the store and seized the contraband and other property. The seized e-cigarettes included several brands and models, such as Elf Bar, Lost Mary, IGET, Yuoto, Nerd Square and Crown Bar, with varying puff capacities.
A case has been registered at Gudimalkapur Police Station vide Crime No. 376/2026 under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 4 and 7 of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of M. Mahesh, Inspector of Police, Task Force, Golconda Zone, along with Gudimalkapur Police, led by SI G. Vijayanand and other staff members.
