Hyderabad: Police in Hyderabad caught six people for illegally bringing banned e-cigarettes from Dubai into the city. They confiscated e-cigarettes worth Rs 25 lakh.
The arrested include Abdullah Shetty (42) from Mumbai, who supplied the e-cigarettes; Mohd Tajuddin (38), the coordinator; Mohd Sami Mukram (34), an auto driver and wholesaler; Mohd Sohail Khan, a retailer; and workers Khaleel Ahmed (41) and Mayank Bise (25). Authorities seized 13,600 Platinum Seven Cool cigarettes and 360 Elfbar Moon Night 40,000 Puffs e-cigarettes.
Police caught Sohail Khan in MLA Colony, Banjara Hills. He admitted buying the e-cigarettes from Sami Mukram. Afterward, police arrested Sami Mukram, who disclosed his connection with Abdullah Shetty, the supplier from Mumbai. Whenever Abdullah visited Hyderabad, he stayed in a Lakdikapool hotel to distribute the goods.
Mohd Iqbal Siddiqui, Additional DCP Task Force, confirmed the arrest of Abdullah along with other dealers of e-cigarettes and foreign cigarettes. Years ago, Abdullah made a deal with Sohail to sell these products. They smuggled e-cigarettes from Dubai using contacts arranged by Sohail and sold them to dodge taxes and earn illegal profits. Selling e-cigarettes is banned in Telangana. The DCP also noted that Tajuddin managed the reception and delivery of goods, while Khaleel Ahmed provided manpower. Mayank recently arrived from Dubai to deliver a shipment to Tajuddin.
