Banned Vapes: Hyderabad EAGLE Force Smashes Illegal E-Cigarette Den
Three arrested as EAGLE Force raids Fuego Smoke Shop in Hyderabad for selling banned e-cigarettes. Read more about the operation.
In a decisive crackdown on the illegal trade of prohibited nicotine products, the Hyderabad e-cigarette raid conducted by the EAGLE Force has resulted in the closure of a smoke shop and the arrest of three individuals. The operation targeted a business located near Nilofer Hospital in the Nampally area, which was allegedly serving as a hub for the sale of banned electronic cigarettes.
The Raid at Fuego Smoke Shop
Acting on credible intelligence, a specialized team led by Sub-Inspector Venkatesh descended upon the "Fuego Smoke Shop." During the search, officials uncovered a clandestine operation involving the sale of vapes, which are strictly prohibited under Indian law. The team seized the following items from the premises:
- Six e-cigarettes of various brands.
- Cash amounting to Rs 1.05 lakh.
- Four mobile phones.
- Four digital payment scanners.
Arrests and Suspects
The police arrested three men during the operation. They have been identified as the shop manager, Md Ashfaq (24), and two workers, Shehabuddeen (22) and Md. Mustafa (36). While all three are currently residents of Nampally, Hyderabad, they are originally from Kasaragod in Kerala.
The Mystery Owner
Preliminary interrogations have revealed a deeper layer to the business. The shop manager claimed that the premises were rented in February 2026 by an individual identified as Jaheed, also known as Abdul Khader. According to the manager, Jaheed was the one operating the business, which was originally called "The Smoke Shop" and commanded a monthly rent of Rs 35,000.
A Digital Network of Illegal Sales
Investigators have uncovered a sophisticated system used to move the banned products. It appears the shop relied heavily on a phone-based ordering and delivery model:
- WhatsApp Marketing: A specific mobile number was used to communicate with customers and update them on the availability of different e-cigarette brands.
- Digital Payments: While cash was accepted, the shop actively used digital payment facilities to facilitate transactions.
- Delivery Services: Orders were reportedly dispatched to customers via a delivery platform.
The shop manager admitted that the business typically sold between three to four e-cigarettes per day. Police are now analyzing the seized mobile phones and payment records to determine the full scale of the operation.
Legal Action and Charges
A formal case has been registered at the Nampally Police Station (Crime No. 387/2026). The suspects face a battery of charges, including:
- Section 318(4) and Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
- Section 4 and Section 7 of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act, 2019.
- Section 20(2) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA).
EAGLE Force's War on Vaping
This raid is part of a larger campaign to purge the city of illegal vapes. The EAGLE Force revealed that they have raided eight different shops and outlets in the last two months alone. The force emphasized that the manufacture, import, export, transport, sale, distribution, storage, and advertising of e-cigarettes are entirely prohibited under the 2019 Act.
Authorities have issued an urgent appeal to parents, teachers, and school administrations to remain vigilant. They have urged educational institutions to strengthen awareness programs and encouraged the public in Telangana to report any information regarding the storage or sale of these prohibited products to prevent them from reaching young consumers.