Noxious E-cigarettes, vapes infiltrates school, college campuses in Hyderabad

Recent investigations have revealed that agents involved in illegal sale of intoxicating vapes and banned e-cigarettes were mostly leveraging digital platforms like WhatsApp, digital payment systems and mobility services building up a robust network to distribute them.

Hyderabad: Noxious and banned substances such as E-cigarettes and vapes are increasingly infiltrating educational institution campuses in the city raising alarms among parents, educators and the police.

As digital platforms continue to evolve, so do the methods employed by those selling illicit substances.

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Recent investigations have revealed that agents involved in illegal sale of intoxicating vapes and banned e-cigarettes were mostly leveraging digital platforms like WhatsApp, digital payment systems and mobility services building up a robust network to distribute them.

According to the Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TGANB) officials, agents were using encrypted messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Snapchat and Signal to coordinate sale and deliveries with customers evading the traditional methods to escape police surveillance. The products were delivered directly to the customers, mostly school and college students preferably at secluded spots.

“The menace has currently reached a point where youth who are also consumers are now turning to be suppliers or distributors of banned products in the campuses,” said a senior official from TGANB.

In one case, the vapes and banned e-cigarettes were sold to the youth and school going minor children by creating a WhatsApp group with nearly 500 participants.

New arrivals in markets were posted in the group. Seeing those advertisements, the group members will purchase by making online payments and made payments to the bank accounts of the family members of the dealers.

Law enforcement agencies are intensifying efforts to dismantle these digital drug networks. Recent special drives conducted by TGANB teams have led to several arrests and seizure of significant quantities of e-cigarettes and vapes. Authorities are also collaborating with educational institutions to increase awareness campaigns and preventive measures.

TGANB requested students and parents to report any instances of drug abuse and usage of e-cigarettes and vapes on the toll-free number 1908 or 8712671111 or email ID: tsnabho-hyd@tspolice.gov.in.