SOG nabs man with e-cigarettes worth ₹21,600 in Ahmedabad

The Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Crime Branch has apprehended a 35-year-old man from Danilimda for allegedly storing and selling banned e-cigarettes from a mobile shop, police said on Tuesday.

The accused, identified as Mohsin alias Ibrahim Sheikh, was caught during a late-night raid conducted at around 1 am on March 17 at a shop named Sandesh Mobile World, located in the Damilimda area.

The SOG team acted on a specific tip-off received during routine patrolling that illegal e-cigarettes, also known as vapes, were being stocked and sold at the shop. Following the information, a raiding party led by police officials reached the spot and searched.

“During the inspection, the accused was found in possession of multiple e-cigarette devices of different brands and flavours, which are prohibited under law,” a police official said.

Police said a total of 15 vape devices were recovered from the shop, including products of brands such as IGET, Smokman and Funky Republic, with flavours like strawberry mango, blueberry, cherry cola and mint. The total estimated value of the seized items is ₹21,600.

Officials added that the accused failed to produce any licence or valid documents for possession or sale of the products. The devices, which contain liquid nicotine, are banned under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act 2019.

During preliminary questioning, the accused reportedly told police that he had procured the e-cigarettes from a supplier based in Junagadh for retail sale. Efforts are underway to trace and apprehend the supplier, police said.

A case has been registered under the relevant provisions of the law against the accused and other persons involved in the supply chain. The seized items have been sealed and sent for further investigation.