Rajkot Police Bust Major Illegal Liquor Factory in Mahuva Raid
In a significant crackdown on illicit alcohol production, the Local Crime Branch (LCB) and Parole Furlough Squad of Rajkot conducted a major raid on Thursday, dismantling an illegal liquor manufacturing unit operating in Mahuva taluka. The operation resulted in the seizure of spurious Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) and manufacturing equipment with an estimated total value exceeding Rs 15 lakh.
Factory Raid Based on Specific Intelligence
Acting on a precise tip-off, law enforcement officials targeted a factory located on Haripara Road in Gundarni village. The premises, which is owned by Baldevsinh Gohil, had been allegedly rented to Rakesh Baraiya and Raviraj, also known as Munno Mokh, who were orchestrating the unlawful operation from this location.
Investigators discovered that a concealed rear section of the factory was being utilized to produce counterfeit IMFL. The process involved mixing raw spirit with various flavouring agents to create the spurious liquor. The accused then allegedly filled bottles with this concoction and sealed them using counterfeit labels mimicking popular whisky brands, preparing them for illegal sale in the market.
Substantial Seizure of Contraband and Equipment
The police confiscated a large quantity of materials from the site, including:
- 1,620 bottles of spurious IMFL ready for distribution
- Multiple mobile phones used in the operation
- A significant stock of empty bottles awaiting filling
- Counterfeit brand stickers and bottle caps
- Industrial packing machines and other machinery
- 20-litre plastic carboys containing raw spirit
The total value of all seized items has been officially estimated at Rs 15.25 lakh, underscoring the scale of this illicit enterprise.
Arrests Made and Accused Still at Large
During the raid, six labourers present at the factory were apprehended and subsequently arrested. The arrested individuals have been identified as Bherulal Gengat, Kalyansingh Ranavat, Rajkumar Prajapati, Lokesh Goswami, Suryapratapsingh Rathod, and Pukhraj Mali, all hailing from Rajasthan.
However, the three primary accused—Baldevsinh Gohil (the owner), Rakesh Baraiya, and Raviraj (Munno Mokh)—managed to evade capture during the operation and are currently absconding. Police authorities have confirmed that an intensive search is underway to locate and apprehend these fugitives.
Legal Proceedings and Criminal Backgrounds
An First Information Report (FIR) has been formally registered at the Mahuva Rural police station. The case has been filed under the stringent provisions of the Gujarat Prohibition Act and the newly implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Police officials have further revealed that some of the individuals involved in this illegal liquor manufacturing racket have previous criminal records, indicating possible connections to organized crime networks. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining the distribution channels and potential accomplices linked to this sophisticated operation.
