Rajkot: In a crackdown on illicit liquor in dry Gujarat, Porbandar police’s local crime branch (LCB) on Friday unearthed a counterfeit IMFL factory, seizing spurious liquor, chemical bases and packaging equipment worth Rs 4 lakh, and arresting one person for allegedly running the operation.
Raids and Arrests
Acting on specific intelligence, the LCB raided a unit on Sandipani Road and caught Babu Odedara managing the illegal setup. Investigations revealed that Odedara had rented the premises for Rs 50,000 a month from three co-accused — Ranjit Bhutiya, Bharat Bhutiya and Bhola Khunti — who allegedly conspired to manufacture and sell counterfeit liquor disguised as leading whisky brands.
Seized Materials
Police recovered a large stock of ready-to-sell spurious alcohol, including 38 boxes containing 456 filled bottles resembling premium labels, valued at Rs 3.12 lakh. Officials also seized liquid bases used to prepare the fake liquor — around 100 litres of an orange-coloured liquid and 700 litres of a colourless liquid — stored in tanks and plastic barrels.
To replicate genuine packaging, the accused had stocked extensive materials. The team seized 1,750 empty glass bottles, rolls of counterfeit brand stickers, 70 maroon bottle caps, sealing strips, cello tape, an alcohol meter, syringes and cardboard boxes. A keypad mobile phone was also recovered from Odedara.
Legal Proceedings
The accused has been booked under relevant sections of the Gujarat Prohibition Act and other applicable laws. Further investigation is underway to trace the network and other suspects involved in the illicit trade.
