Major Liquor Bust in Gujarat Farmhouse
In a significant crackdown on illegal liquor trade, Gujarat's State Monitoring Cell conducted a late-night raid at a farmhouse in Ode village. The operation took place in Umreth taluka of Anand district on the night of January 14-15.
Massive Seizure of Contraband
Acting on specific intelligence, police officers raided the farmhouse owned by Hitesh Patel. The property is located on the road connecting Ode village to Rupen Talavdi. During the search, authorities discovered a substantial cache of Indian-made foreign liquor.
Police recovered 16,139 bottles of IMFL from the premises. The liquor consignment alone was valued at approximately Rs 43.45 lakh. Officers found the bottles cleverly concealed within 80 onion bags.
Additional Seizures and Arrests
Beyond the liquor, police confiscated six vehicles with an estimated worth of Rs 29.55 lakh. They also seized four mobile phones and Rs 3,300 in cash during the operation. The total value of all seized items reached Rs 74.23 lakh.
Authorities arrested five individuals connected to the illegal operation. Those taken into custody include:
- A truck driver involved in transportation
- A car owner linked to the consignment
- Three local associates from Anand and Vadodara
Police handed over all arrested persons to Khambholaj police station for further legal proceedings.
Broader Bootlegging Network Uncovered
Investigations reveal this operation was part of a larger bootlegging network. The racket involved transporting liquor from outside Gujarat and distributing it across central Gujarat regions.
Police identified six additional suspects who remain absconding. The wanted individuals include the main supplier and multiple receivers of the illegal liquor. Special teams have been formed to track down these fugitives.
Ongoing Investigation
Police Sub-Inspector D A Tuvar of the SMC unit led the successful raid. Authorities continue their investigation to identify more links in the supply chain. They are also working to determine whether similar consignments had been delivered previously.
The State Monitoring Cell emphasized their commitment to dismantling illegal liquor networks across Gujarat. This seizure represents one of the significant busts in recent months targeting bootlegging operations in the state.
