Two arrested in Chennai for selling illegal e-cigarettes

Aug.19.2024
Two arrested in Chennai for selling illegal e-cigarettes
Two men arrested in Chennai for selling 476 ELFBAR e-cigarettes; sourced from Southeast Asia, sold locally. Police crackdown continues.

According to a report by Dtnext on August 19th, the Chennai police in India arrested two individuals selling e-cigarettes at a store in the RK Nagar area and seized 476 e-cigarettes. The seized e-cigarettes were of the brand "ELFBAR".


The police received information that a store on the Erukkanchery highway was selling e-cigarettes, and immediately proceeded to the location to conduct a search.


The police discovered a large stock of banned e-cigarettes during a search, leading to the arrest of shop owners Mohammed Jafrullah and Abu Tahir, both from Mannadi.


The investigation reveals that their e-cigarettes come from Southeast Asian countries and are then sold locally.


As of now, the two individuals have been brought before a judge and are being held in custody pending trial.


In March of this year, North Beach police arrested six individuals selling e-cigarettes at the Myanmar Market and seized over 1300 e-cigarettes.


We welcome news tips, article submissions, interview requests, or comments on this piece.

Please contact us at info@2firsts.com, or reach out to Alan Zhao, CEO of 2Firsts, on LinkedIn


Notice

1.  This article is intended solely for professional research purposes related to industry, technology, and policy. Any references to brands or products are made purely for objective description and do not constitute any form of endorsement, recommendation, or promotion by 2Firsts.

2.  The use of nicotine-containing products — including, but not limited to, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouchand heated tobacco products — carries significant health risks. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

3.  This article is not intended to serve as the basis for any investment decisions or financial advice. 2Firsts assumes no direct or indirect liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the content.

4.  Access to this article is strictly prohibited for individuals below the legal age in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright

 

This article is either an original work created by 2Firsts or a reproduction from third-party sources with proper attribution. All copyrights and usage rights belong to 2Firsts or the original content provider. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or any other form of unauthorized use by any individual or organization is strictly prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable.

For copyright-related inquiries, please contact: info@2firsts.com

 

AI Assistance Disclaimer

 

This article may have been enhanced using AI tools to improve translation and editorial efficiency. However, due to technical limitations, inaccuracies may occur. Readers are encouraged to refer to the cited sources for the most accurate information.

We welcome any corrections or feedback. Please contact us at: info@2firsts.com

KT&G Aims to Accelerate Launch of New Heated Tobacco Innovation Platform
KT&G Aims to Accelerate Launch of New Heated Tobacco Innovation Platform
KT&G Chief Executive Officer Bang Kyung-man said at the annual shareholders meeting on March 26 that although the company expects a challenging environment marked by stronger protectionism and a high exchange rate, it will continue on a stable growth path through strategic choice and focus.
Mar.26 by 2FIRSTS.ai
FDA Tobacco Center Pushes Review-Efficiency Statement After Commissioner’s Exit
FDA Tobacco Center Pushes Review-Efficiency Statement After Commissioner’s Exit
FDA CTP issued a May 7 statement on accelerating product review and improving PMTA efficiency, but did not push it via official X and newsletter until May 13, one day after FDA Commissioner Marty Makary’s resignation was confirmed. FDA has not explained the delay, and no public evidence links it directly to the leadership change. The timing is notable given CTP’s usual 24-hour distribution practice.
Special Report
May.14
IMF Article Sets Out Three Principles: Cover All Harmful Products, Match Tax Rates to Harm, Improve Cross-Border Coordination
IMF Article Sets Out Three Principles: Cover All Harmful Products, Match Tax Rates to Harm, Improve Cross-Border Coordination
A March 2026 article in Finance & Development, “Taxing Harmful Habits,” argues that taxes on harmful products such as tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks should better reflect the health harm they cause. The authors propose three principles: capture all harmful products, align tax rates with health harm, and strengthen cross-border coordination to reduce evasion and smuggling.
Mar.24 by 2FIRSTS.ai
New York Nicotine Pouch Tax Moves Forward as Critics Question Public Health Impact
New York Nicotine Pouch Tax Moves Forward as Critics Question Public Health Impact
New York Governor Kathy Hochul included in her FY 2027 budget proposal a plan to impose the same 75% wholesale tax on nicotine pouches such as Zyn that applies to cigarettes. The measure is expected to raise USD 18 million in FY 2027 and USD 44 million in FY 2028 after full implementation.
Mar.30 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Australian Government and Spotify Launch Third Phase of Youth Vaping Education Campaign
Australian Government and Spotify Launch Third Phase of Youth Vaping Education Campaign
The Australian Government and Spotify have launched the third phase of the Youth Vaping Education Campaign under the theme “Buddy Up – Make a Pact to Quit Together.” This phase shifts the focus toward peer and community support by encouraging young people to quit vaping together.
Apr.16 by 2FIRSTS.ai
Kentucky Governor Signs Tobacco, Nicotine, and Vapor Product Licensing Bill Into Law
Kentucky Governor Signs Tobacco, Nicotine, and Vapor Product Licensing Bill Into Law
A Kentucky bill relating to tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product licensing was signed by the governor on April 10, 2026, and enacted as Acts Chapter 70. The measure sets application requirements for tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product licenses, governs batch licensing, renewals, ownership changes, and denial grounds, and requires the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to publish application forms and related regulations within 30 days of the law’s effective date.
Apr.14 by 2FIRSTS.ai