The Telangana Anti-Drug Service (TGANB) and the Telangana Antiancotics and Hyderabad City police have undone a racket fishing to supply peddlings for school children and college students in Hyderabad.
TGANB director Sandeep Shandilya said two brothers Sadiq Lalani and Nampally resident Anil Lalani were seized for selling banned tobacco products and targeting minors.
After the case was registered with the ABIDS Police Department, teachers at institutions such as Little Flower School and St. Mary’s Junior College caused concerns at drug awareness conferences. “We put the ABIDS area in a cautious observation and ultimately traced the supply source of the Lalani brothers, who operated a digital pharmacy with nearly 500 members through a WhatsApp Group called “SID,” Mr Shandylya explained.
Through this group, they promote new products, allowing interested buyers, including minors. Orders are placed through UPI, wallet and bank transfers. “Payment is an account held by defendants, their relatives and even childhood friends. Delivery is processed by courier services such as DTDC and courier services such as Uber and Rapido, and now it may find itself failing to screen packages in the dock.
The network reportedly sourced its contraband from suppliers in New Delhi and Mumbai and used Hawala operators to drive substantial funds. Authorities estimate that rackets have invested about Rs 1 crore in Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh alone. Thirteen teenagers were identified directly in the client base and will be consulted with their families.
A search of the defendant’s residence resulted in seven large cartons filled with different brands and models of 1,217 e-cigarettes. The total value of the seizure is Rs 2.5 lakh. In addition, officials recovered Rs 18,440 in cash for $225 and $10 billion.
The defendants are now facing charges under Section 6 of the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (2019), the Juvenile Justice Act (2015) and the COTPA (2003) which prohibits the sale of tobacco products to minors and nearby educational institutions. Authorities are also studying the role of courier companies and transport companies to achieve potential negligence.
TGANB calls the action a key step to mask the dangers of Telangana youth from nicotine addiction, urging parents, schools and alert citizens to go through their free phone line helpline 1908 or email tsnabho-hyd@tspolice.gov.in.gov.in.
publishing – April 22, 2025 04:22 AM IST
