Hyderabad: Hyderabad police bust gang smuggling banned e-cigarettes and foreign cigarettes worth Rs 25 lakh from Dubai. Six men were arrested in a coordinated raid led by the West Zone Commissioner’s Task Force.
The Hyderabad police bust gang after receiving a tip-off about illegal activity in the Banjara Hills area. Officers detained a man named Sohail Khan near MLA Colony while he was transporting e-cigarettes. During questioning, he confessed that he had received the items from one Mohd. Sami, also known as Mukram. This information led the police to Sami, who disclosed his supplier Abdullah Shetty, a Mumbai resident operating from a hotel in Lakdikapool.
The Hyderabad police bust gang included a total of six individuals. In addition to Shetty, police arrested Mohd. Tajuddin, who managed coordination and logistics; Khaleel Ahmed, who arranged manpower; and Mayank Bise, who had just arrived in Hyderabad from Dubai carrying the latest shipment. According to officials, the gang operated under the instructions of a man known only as Martin alias Sohail, based in Dubai.
The police seized a substantial haul, including 6,800 boxes of Platinum Seven Cool Cigarettes and 360 Elfbar Moon Night 40,000-puff e-cigarettes. Authorities also confiscated six mobile phones and a Honda Activa used in the smuggling operation. The estimated value of the seized items is Rs 25 lakh.
The Hyderabad police bust gang that was not only evading commercial taxes but also violating Telangana’s ban on e-cigarette sales. These devices are prohibited under state law due to health risks associated with vaping.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohd. Iqbal Siddiqui. Inspector Ch. Yadender and Sub-Inspector Mohd. Jahed led the investigation team that dismantled the smuggling network.
