In a significant crackdown on interstate bootlegging, the Dahod police in Gujarat executed a major seizure of illicit liquor worth crores of rupees on Thursday night. The operation, based on precise intelligence, led to the confiscation of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) valued at approximately Rs 1.6 crore from a village situated near the sensitive Gujarat–Madhya Pradesh border.
Intelligence Leads to Highway Interception
Acting on a specific tip-off received by sleuths of the Local Crime Branch (LCB), a police team was mobilized. The information indicated that a large consignment of IMFL was being transported in a truck registered in Rajasthan and would be entering Gujarat from Madhya Pradesh. Keeping a close vigil, the team successfully intercepted a truck matching the provided description near Katwara village on the busy Indore–Ahmedabad highway.
Concealed Consignment Uncovered After Search
Upon initial inspection, the closed-body truck appeared to be carrying a load of rice bags, a common sight. However, the police officials, suspecting foul play, proceeded to unload the vehicle. Their persistence paid off when they discovered boxes of liquor cleverly concealed behind the rice bags. A thorough count revealed a staggering haul of 1,039 boxes containing a total of 25,056 bottles of premium IMFL.
The estimated market value of the seized liquor alone was pegged at Rs 1.6 crore. Furthermore, the total value of the seizure, including the truck used for transportation, is estimated to be around Rs 1.81 crore.
Arrest and Interrogation Reveal Transport Route
The police promptly arrested the truck driver, identified as Tajaram Jat, a resident of Barmer district in Rajasthan. Preliminary interrogation of the accused shed light on the smuggling operation's modus operandi. According to police statements, the liquor was loaded in Madhya Pradesh and was destined for Godhra in Gujarat.
The driver had been instructed to wait for further directions upon reaching Godhra, suggesting a well-organized supply chain with local receivers. This seizure highlights the ongoing challenges of policing dry Gujarat's borders against the influx of alcohol from neighboring states. The Dahod police have registered a case, and further investigations are underway to uncover the entire network behind this large-scale smuggling attempt.
