EAGLE Force busts sale of e-cigarettes from two Hyderabad stores
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Telangana police have busted two retail outlets in Hyderabad for the illegal sale of banned e-cigarettes to minors. Authorities have seized significant contraband and are pursuing legal action against over 400 identified consumers.
Crackdown on Illegal Vaping Operations in Hyderabad
In a significant enforcement action, the Telangana EAGLE Force, in coordination with the Madhapur police, successfully dismantled an organized network involved in the illegal sale of electronic cigarettes. The raid, conducted on September 3, 2026, targeted two specific retail outlets identified as 'Smart Smoke' in Madhapur and 'Smoke on Vibes' near Durgam Cheruvu. These establishments were allegedly operating under the guise of general tobacco and lifestyle stores, selling hookah equipment and perfumes alongside prohibited nicotine delivery systems.
Targeting Vulnerable Demographics
The operation was precipitated by credible intelligence suggesting that these outlets were specifically targeting minors. The sale of e-cigarettes remains strictly prohibited under Indian law, specifically the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA), 2019, which bans the production, manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage, and advertisement of e-cigarettes. By actively marketing to younger demographics, these outlets posed a severe public health risk, prompting the swift intervention of the EAGLE Force.
Seizure and Investigative Methodology
During the raids, law enforcement recovered 152 e-cigarettes and 34 packets of foreign-brand cigarettes, alongside ₹9,500 in cash. The investigation extended beyond the physical premises; by analyzing digital banking transactions and sales records, police identified a vast network of 351 individual buyers. Additionally, authorities have linked approximately 130 specific consumers to these locations, signaling a robust effort to hold not just the vendors, but the end-users accountable under the existing legal framework.
Profiles of the Accused
The stores were owned by Aboobakar Siddiqui and Rameez, both hailing from the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka. 'Smart Smoke' had been a fixture in the local retail landscape for approximately two years, while the second location, 'Smoke on Vibes,' was a more recent addition, operating for only about two months. Their apprehension highlights the inter-state nature of illicit tobacco trade networks that often exploit urban demand in growing tech hubs like Hyderabad.
Broader Implications and Future Trends
This bust serves as a stern warning to retailers attempting to circumvent national health policies. As the Indian government continues to prioritize the 'Tobacco-Free India' initiative, local enforcement agencies are expected to increase surveillance on shops that diversify into illicit products. The identification of over 480 consumers through digital forensics suggests a shift toward more sophisticated investigative techniques in tobacco control, which will likely lead to increased scrutiny of digital payment trails in future anti-narcotic and contraband operations.
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