Hyderabad police stopped an illegal e-cigarette trade in the city on Thursday. They arrested Tharif Hussain, a 30-year-old who sold two-wheelers in Khalander Nagar. Instead of just selling vehicles, he was illegally dealing in e-cigarettes, known as Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, which are banned in India due to their harmful effects.
Police caught Hussain while he was on his Honda Activa. They found 90 ELFBAR e-cigarettes with various flavors, each offering up to 40,000 puffs. The total value of these e-cigarettes was over Rs 2,50,000. Along with these, they confiscated his scooter, an Apple iPhone, and Rs 2,900 in cash, showing how profitable this illegal business was.
Hussain got his supply from a person named Aizaz. He sold these banned items to customers looking for a quick fix. The illegal e-cigarettes are sold at high prices to Hyderabad’s youth and professionals, especially as the government increases enforcement. This case shows the ongoing demand for such products and the creative ways criminals use to avoid getting caught, like using e-cart couriers.
Inspector S. Saidababu, along with Sub-Inspectors M. Madhu and K. Rama Rao, led the operation. Ande Srinivasa Rao, the Additional Deputy Commissioner, has been intensifying efforts to combat the growing trade in these banned products, responding to reliable information and public concerns.
