Illegal e-cigarette gang busted 1 arrested, 282 e-cigarettes worth 8,72,000 lakh seized
RSD-Hyderabad news: In a joint raid conducted by Hyderabad City Commissioner Task Force (Khairatabad Zone) and Mangalahat Police, a person selling banned electronic cigarettes was arrested and a huge stock was seized. Based on reliable information, a team of the Task Force raided a shop (H.No. 14-10-1004) located in Lower Dhulpet under Mangalahat Police Station limits. During the raid, the police identified and seized 282 e-cigarettes of various brands (Yuoto Beyonder, Elfbar, Raya D1) from the possession of the accused, Thikale Rohan (23 years old, student).
Mode of commission of the crime:
1. Gang members: Thikale Rohan of Mangalahat, along with his friend Shivani Pratham (absconding) started this business for illegal profits.
2. Procurement: They used to procure these banned e-cigarettes at low prices through an agent named Parveen Salman Zubair (absconding) in Mumbai. They used to transport this consignment to Hyderabad through ‘Pragati Parcel Service’ and store it at the above mentioned house.
3. Sale: Accused Shivani Pratham used to attract customers, especially college students and youth, through WhatsApp groups. They used to take orders on WhatsApp and receive payments through PhonePe. Then they used to secretly send these banned products to the customers through Rapido delivery service.
Health Threat: The police have warned that nicotine and harmful chemicals present in e-cigarettes not only make the youth addicted but also seriously damage their health.
Police Action: In this operation held on the evening of 10-03-2026, e-cigarettes worth approximately Rs.8,72,000 were seized. The accused was handed over to the SHO of Mangalahat Police Station for further legal action. This operation was successfully completed by Inspector P. Raghavendar, S.I. G. Srikanth and staff of Khairatabad Task Force under the supervision of Additional DCP Ande Srinivas Rao.
