Hyderabad: The Commissioner’s Task Force, Jubilee Hills Zone, along with Banjara Hills Police, apprehended three persons for allegedly possessing and selling e-cigarettes (vapes) and banned foreign cigarettes in Hyderabad. The seized material was estimated to be worth approximately ₹2 lakh.

Acting on credible information, the police conducted a raid at a shop named “Smokers.in” located in Srinagar Colony, Banjara Hills. During the raid, three persons were found allegedly possessing and selling e-cigarettes and banned foreign cigarettes to customers.

The accused were identified as Mohammed Muneer, 26, Mohammed Abdul Rahman Meehraj, 25, and Mohammed Eyas, 19. According to police, the accused are natives of Kerala and had recently come to Hyderabad, where they started operating the business under the name “Smokers.in.”

Police said that during questioning, the accused allegedly revealed that they were aware of the demand for e-cigarettes and foreign cigarettes in Hyderabad. They allegedly procured banned foreign cigarettes from Mumbai at prices ranging from ₹600 to ₹800 per box and sold them in Hyderabad at prices of up to ₹2,500, with the intention of making illegal profits.

The police seized 53 vapes, 10 bottles of liquids and 76 boxes of cigarettes, with the total value of the seized material estimated at ₹2 lakh.

Authorities stated that the sale, manufacture, import, distribution, transport, storage and advertisement of electronic cigarettes are prohibited under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act.

The operation was carried out by Ch. Yadender, Inspector of Police, Jubilee Hills Zone, Commissioner’s Task Force, with the assistance of SI Mohammed Jahed and his team, in coordination with Banjara Hills Police.

DCP Commissioner’s Task Force, Hyderabad, G. Vaibhav Raghunath, IPS, issued the press note regarding the operation.