Six held for smuggling e-cigarettes and banned cigarettes from Dubai

Hyderabad Police busted an inter-state gang that was illegally importing e-cigarettes and banned foreign cigarettes worth ₹25 lakh from Dubai. The Commissioner’s Task Force, West Zone, apprehended six people involved in the racket.

Those arrested were identified as supplier Abdullah Shetty from Mumbai, coordinator Mohd. Tajuddin, wholesaler Mohd. Sami alias Mukram, retailer Mohd. Sohail Khan, manpower supplier Khaleel Ahmed, and worker Mayank Bise.

The seized property included 6,800 boxes of ‘Platinum Seven Cool’ cigarettes, 360 e-cigarettes, a scooter, and six mobile phones.

An officer from the Task Force said that Sohail Khan was first caught in MLA Colony, Banjara Hills, with e-cigarettes in his possession. “His questioning led to the arrest of Sami, who revealed his links with Shetty, the key supplier. Shetty, who stayed in hotels at Lakdikapool during visits to Hyderabad, supplied consignments received from Dubai,” said the officer who added that the sale of e-cigarettes remains banned in Telangana.

Investigations revealed that the accused smuggled ‘Platinum Seven Cool’ cigarettes and ‘Elfbar Moon Night’ vapes from Dubai through associates of one Sohail alias Martin. Tajuddin coordinated deliveries, while Khaleel Ahmed arranged manpower. Bise had recently travelled from Dubai to deliver a consignment.