Telangana EAGLE Force cracks down on illegal e‑cigarette supply to minors, two held

The Telangana EAGLE Force has arrested two 21‑year‑old men for allegedly supplying banned e‑cigarettes to minors in Hyderabad. Acting on a complaint received via X, officials traced the source and seized 13 devices, exposing an online procurement and distribution network targeting teenagers.

Hyderabad: The Telangana EAGLE Force has cracked down on the illegal supply of e-cigarettes to minors, and apprehended two 21-year-old men allegedly involved in supplying the banned products. The police identified four teenagers as users

According to EAGLE Force Director Sandeep Shandilya, the action followed a complaint received through X (formerly Twitter) regarding a group of boys, suspected to be minors, allegedly vaping near FDDI on Pawwa Road in Raidurgam on July 2. The complaint was accompanied by a video showing the boys allegedly using e-cigarettes.

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During the enquiry, the EAGLE Force identified four boys aged between 15 and 17 and seized two e-cigarettes from them. During counselling, the minors reportedly told the officials that two of their minor acquaintances had supplied them with the devices.

Based on the information gathered, the EAGLE Force traced the alleged source of the e-cigarettes and on Tuesday apprehended Arsalan Sharief, (21) of Musheerabad, and seized 11 e-cigarettes from his possession. The seized devices included seven Yuoto YuoLo, three Gun Pod Air and one Elf Bar Rayadi.

Sharief had allegedly procured e-cigarettes through cash-on-delivery orders placed online. During the enquiry, websites identified as Vape India, Pod India and Podkits were found to have been used for procuring the devices. He allegedly ordered a minimum of five e-cigarettes at a time, paying around Rs. 1,200 to Rs. 1,500 for each device, the official explained.

The investigation further revealed that Sharief allegedly supplied e-cigarettes to two minor boys through his associate Mudasir Mujahid, 21, of Tolichowki, charging around Rs. 2,000 per e-cigarette.

The EAGLE Force seized a total of 13 e-cigarettes, including seven Yuoto YuoLo, three Gunnpod Air, two Hatati Pro Ultra and one Elf Bar Rayadi, besides two mobile phones.