In a significant enforcement operation spanning nine days until January 22, authorities in central Gujarat executed seven major seizures of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL), with the total confiscated goods valued at an impressive Rs 6.04 crore. This coordinated crackdown targeted illicit liquor trafficking across multiple districts, highlighting intensified police efforts to curb illegal activities in the region.
Widespread Seizures Across Five Districts
The enforcement actions were distributed across five key districts: Dahod, Panchmahal, Anand, Mahisagar, and Vadodara. Notably, Dahod district, which shares borders with Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, emerged as a hotspot, accounting for four of the seven cases. This geographical spread underscores the extensive nature of the illegal liquor trade network in central Gujarat.
Timeline of Major Confiscations
The crackdown commenced on Uttarayan, when the Local Crime Branch (LCB) of Dahod district police intercepted an IMFL consignment worth Rs 1.35 crore near Dahod. This shipment, routed through the Khangela outpost, was destined for Godhra. Simultaneously, on the same day, the State Monitoring Cell (SMC) seized liquor valued at Rs 45 lakh in Ode village of Anand district.
Following January 14, the series of seizures continued with police forces in Dahod, Mahisagar, Panchmahal, and Vadodara city each making one significant confiscation, with each valued at over Rs 30 lakh. The value of these seized consignments varied considerably, ranging from Rs 34 lakh to a substantial Rs 1.84 crore.
Interception Methods and Patterns
Authorities employed diverse interception strategies during these operations. In three instances, liquor was apprehended while being transferred from trucks into smaller vehicles, indicating sophisticated distribution methods. The remaining four seizures occurred on highways or at strategically placed check posts during transit, demonstrating proactive monitoring of transportation routes.
Enhanced Vigilance and Surveillance Measures
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Rajendra Asari of the Panchmahal–Godhra range emphasized that these recoveries resulted from heightened vigilance at border check posts. "Check posts have been kept under tight surveillance and are now equipped with CCTV cameras. This technological upgrade has significantly enhanced our detection capabilities, not only for liquor consignments but also for other contraband such as marijuana and poppy straw," he stated.
Asari attributed the recent surge in seizures to increased alertness ahead of New Year celebrations and Uttarayan festivities. He further highlighted that timely intelligence inputs from informers played a crucial role in these successful operations, showcasing the importance of community cooperation in law enforcement.
Officials Surprised by Scale of Operations
Sources revealed that the scale and frequency of these seizures surprised even the officials involved in the operations. "We are actively analyzing what triggered this sudden surge in illicit liquor trafficking," an official commented. Another officer suggested that, apart from improved policing strategies, bootleggers might have attempted to push larger quantities of liquor to compensate for losses incurred during initial seizures, indicating a possible retaliatory or compensatory pattern in illegal trade activities.
This comprehensive crackdown reflects Gujarat's ongoing commitment to enforcing liquor prohibition laws and combating organized crime networks involved in illicit alcohol distribution. The successful interceptions demonstrate how coordinated efforts between various enforcement agencies, combined with technological surveillance and intelligence gathering, can effectively disrupt illegal supply chains.
