Prohibition – Gujarat Police Seize Liquor Worth Over Rs 1 Crore in Twin Raids
Prohibition – Gujarat Police have recovered Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and related property worth more than Rs 1.09 crore during two separate prohibition operations conducted in Valsad and Mehsana districts. Officials confirmed on Saturday that the raids resulted in the arrest of three people, while cases have been registered against a total of 14 accused. The coordinated action forms part of an ongoing statewide drive against illegal liquor trade and gambling activities.
Statewide Crackdown on Illegal Liquor
According to police officials, the State Monitoring Cell (SMC) carried out both operations following directions issued by Gujarat Director General of Police G.S. Malik to strengthen enforcement against prohibition-related offences. Authorities said the campaign is focused on identifying transport routes, suppliers and distribution networks involved in the movement of banned liquor across the state.
Investigators have also launched efforts to trace individuals suspected of financing and coordinating the supply chain behind these consignments.
Beer Consignment Intercepted in Valsad
The first operation took place near Kundi Bridge on National Highway 48 within the limits of Dungri Police Station in Valsad district. Acting on specific inputs, a team led by Police Inspector B.P. Desai stopped a vehicle suspected of transporting liquor.
During the search, officers recovered 87 cartons containing 3,025 bottles of Indian-made beer valued at approximately Rs 9.26 lakh. Including the vehicle and other seized materials, the total value of the confiscated property was estimated at Rs 19.36 lakh.
Police arrested the driver, identified as Ilesh alias Iliyo Patel from Kocharwa in Vapi taluka, along with Kapil alias Sonu Patel of Motiwada in Pardi taluka, who was travelling in the vehicle as a cleaner.
A case has been registered at Dungri Police Station under various provisions of the Gujarat Prohibition Act. Investigators have also named four additional suspects, including the alleged supplier, his associates and the person believed to have arranged the liquor shipment. They remain at large.
Large Seizure Made in Mehsana District
In another operation, a team headed by Police Inspector A.J. Chauhan intercepted a vehicle near Ramdev Hotel on Kalyanpur Road close to Vidaj village in Kadi taluka of Mehsana district.
The search led to the recovery of around 1,077 cartons containing 25,858 bottles of Indian-made beer. Police estimated the value of the seized liquor at nearly Rs 59.73 lakh, while the combined value of the liquor, vehicle and other recovered property stood at approximately Rs 89.95 lakh.
The vehicle’s driver, Hemaram Jat, a resident of Dheerasar village in Rajasthan’s Barmer district, was taken into custody at the scene.
Investigation Focuses on Supply Network
Police registered a prohibition case at Kadi Police Station against eight accused under relevant sections of the Gujarat Prohibition Act. While one accused has been arrested, seven others are currently being sought by investigators.
Among those named are Vijay Jat of Taratra village in Barmer district, who is alleged to have introduced the driver to associates connected with the transport operation, and Ramesh Likharam Jat of Chandi village, identified by investigators as the principal person behind dispatching the liquor consignment. Authorities are also searching for five additional suspects believed to have played roles in arranging the procurement and transportation of the prohibited liquor.
Officials from the State Monitoring Cell said both investigations are continuing, with efforts now focused on identifying the complete network involved in the movement, supply and distribution of illegal liquor across Gujarat.