EAGLE Force traces e-cigarette supplies from Kolkata to Telangana

Hyderabad: The State Task Force’s EAGLE Force has busted an inter-State network allegedly involved in the illegal supply and distribution of banned e-cigarettes, apprehending two persons and seizing 31 e-cigarettes in two separate operations in Hyderabad and Karimnagar.

According to EAGLE Force Director Sandeep Shandilya, acting on specific information, the RNCC Karimnagar team raided Bismillah Hotel and Café in Karimnagar on Thursday and caught Mohammed Asif allegedly selling banned e-cigarettes to a minor. Twelve e-cigarettes were seized from him.

During questioning, Asif disclosed that he was receiving supplies from Hyderabad through courier services. Following the leads, officials caught Rahil Khan alias Omer, 26, a resident of Charminar, on Saturday and seized 19 e-cigarettes from him.

Rahil allegedly told officials that he had procured e-cigarettes from Adil Enterprises in Kolkata and received the consignments through courier services. He reportedly placed orders using different names and mobile numbers and made payments through Google Pay. He had received consignments on at least seven occasions, Shandilya said.

Rahil had allegedly supplied e-cigarettes to Asif more than 20 times through a transport company in Feelkhana. The two reportedly came into contact through Abubakar, the owner of Al Ayaan Hookah in Secunderabad.

A case has been registered at Mirchowk police station. Officials are examining bank transactions, courier records and digital evidence to trace other suppliers and identify members of the suspected inter-State network.