9 hours Ago By DC Correspondent
Jubilee Hills police conducted a raid on two shops in the city, arresting two individuals, including a woman, for illegally selling intoxicated cigarettes to minors. A total of cigarettes from various brands, including banned items, worth Rs 9,000 were seized. According to Investigation Officer (IO) K Rama, under the direction of superior officers, a special team was formed and dispatched to monitor the situation on Friday night.
Rama revealed that the woman shop owner in Venkatagiri had been selling cigarettes to minors, despite the illegal nature of the sales. Upon confirming the illegal activity, police raided the shop, confiscating several banned cigarette brands. One of the arrested, Gandham Pramila (48), was caught selling banned cigarettes to a group of minors, including a 15-year-old student.
Pramila admitted to the crimes, explaining that financial difficulties led her to sell cigarettes to minors in exchange for quick profits. Additionally, police raided a second shop owned by K. Venkateshwar Rao (55) in the same area, seizing cigarettes worth Rs 3,000.
Both individuals, Pramila and Rao, have been booked under sections 24(1) and 6 of the COTPA Act, and section 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act. The accused were presented in court on Saturday..
