e-Cigarette Racket Hyderabad Exposed in Schools

Hyderabad: The Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TGANB) and Hyderabad City Police have uncovered the illegal sale of e-Cigarettes and vapes in and around educational institutions in Hyderabad during drug awareness campaigns held at schools and colleges. In total, 1,217 e-Cigarettes worth around ₹25 lakhs were seized. Authorities also recovered ₹18,440 in cash in the following denominations, (13 x ₹500), (28 x ₹200), (62 x ₹100), (1 x ₹50), (3 x ₹20), and (3 x ₹10), along with USD 225 and CAD 100.

Several teachers raised concerns about the sale of e-Cigarettes and vapes to youth and minor children near the Abids area. Acting on this information, TGANB conducted surveillance at institutions including Little Flower School, St. Mary’s Junior College, St. George Grammar School, Rosary Convent High School, and Sujatha High School and Junior College.

Through sustained efforts, TGANB established the involvement of Sadiq Lalani and his brother Anil Lalani, residents of Shakthi Sai Complex, near Haj House, Nampally, Hyderabad. The duo was found to be selling intoxicating vapes and banned e-Cigarettes in Abids and other parts of Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh.

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The accused were operating a WhatsApp group named “SID” with nearly 500 members, where they advertised newly arrived products. Group members purchased these products through online payments, including UPI, wallet, and bank transfers. Payments were made to the accounts of the accused and their sister, father’s friend, mother, and childhood friend.

Further investigation revealed that Amit, a resident of New Delhi, and Waseem, a resident of Mumbai, were supplying e-Cigarettes to the accused. The brothers used the services of hawala operators Mangi Ramji Goutham from Hyderabad and C. R. Sharma to transfer money for transactions exceeding ₹50,000. For amounts below ₹50,000, regular banking channels were used.

Rapido, Uber, and DTDC Courier services were used for delivering these e-Cigarettes. Thirteen juvenile students under the age of 18 were identified along with their phone numbers. These juveniles are at a high risk of falling into drug abuse. Local police will visit their homes to counsel their parents.

In addition, more than 400 users have been positively identified through UPI, wallet, BHIM, bank transactions, and information received from Rapido, Uber, and DTDC Couriers. Based on the bank transactions, the estimated value of the illegal e-Cigarette sales is around ₹1 crore across Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh.

A case has been registered under Sections 7 read with 4 of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (PEC) Act, 2019, and Section 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act. Action is also being initiated against DTDC Courier, Uber, and Rapido for negligence in not screening the parcels delivered to minors.

A search at the residence of Sadiq Lalani resulted in the seizure of seven brown carton boxes containing banned e-Cigarettes of different sizes, shapes, and brands. The breakdown is as follows:

• Box B-1:
POD Salt – 8 boxes (79 pieces)
Elfbar Raya D2 – 12 boxes (116 pieces)
Ignite – 3 boxes (30 pieces)
Total: 225 e-Cigarettes

• Box B-2:
Elfbar Raya D2 – 2 boxes (20 pieces)
Platinum Bar – 1 box (6 pieces)
Waka – 9 boxes (80 pieces)
Total: 106 e-Cigarettes

• Box B-3:
Waka – 6 boxes (56 pieces)
POD Salt – 11 boxes (96 pieces)
Total: 152 e-Cigarettes

• Box B-4:
Iget Flare – 4 boxes (20 pieces)
Nasty – 6 boxes (53 pieces)
Priv Bar – 12 boxes (61 pieces)
Total: 134 e-Cigarettes

• Box B-5:
Olive Bar – 38 boxes (187 pieces)
Elfbar Ice King – 9 boxes (42 pieces)
Ignite – 7 boxes (90 pieces)
Total: 319 e-Cigarettes

• Box B-6:
Elfbar TE6K – 7 boxes (36 pieces)
Elfbar Raya D2 – 3 boxes (27 pieces)
Elfbar Raya D3 – 9 boxes (92 pieces)
Total: 155 e-Cigarettes

• Box B-7:
JUUL – 10 boxes (87 pieces)
Packed e-Cigarettes – 6 pieces
Olive Bar – 2 boxes (10 pieces)
POD Salt – 5 pieces
Raya D2 – 3 pieces
Raya D3 – 1 piece
Priv Bar – 1 piece
Waka – 4 pieces
Nasty – 9 pieces
Total: 126 e-Cigarettes

Legal Provisions Invoked:

Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (PEC) Act, 2019:

Bans the production, manufacturing, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage, and advertisement of e-Cigarettes in India.
Section 6, COTPA, 2003:

Prohibits the sale of tobacco products to individuals under 18 and within 100 yards of educational institutions.
Section 77, Juvenile Justice Act, 2015:

Penalizes giving or supplying any intoxicant, drug, or tobacco product to a child, with up to seven years of imprisonment and a fine up to ₹1 lakh.

Appeal to the Public:

TGANB has urged students, parents, and citizens to report any instances of drug abuse or e-Cigarette usage. Complaints can be made anonymously via the toll-free number 1908 or email tsnabho-hyd@tspolice.gov.in. Anti-Drug Committees and Prahari Clubs are encouraged to cooperate with the TGANB and local police to identify and stop such illegal activities.

The Bureau highlighted that all identities will be kept confidential and significant contributions will be suitably rewarded. TGANB reiterated its commitment to making Telangana a drug-free state and protecting the younger generation from harmful substances.

Illegal e-Cigarette Racket Busted Near Hyderabad Schools – 1217 Vapes Seized

A major illegal e-cigarette & vape supply network was busted by Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau & Hyderabad City Police. Accused Sadiq & Anil Lalani were caught selling banned e-cigarettes near Abids… pic.twitter.com/SzGgeGgxKf

— Hyderabad Mail (@Hyderabad_Mail) April 21, 2025