In a significant interception, the Rajasthan Police has seized a massive consignment of illicit liquor cleverly concealed inside a diesel tanker that had crossed over from Punjab. The seizure, which took place late on Wednesday, January 8, 2026, at the Rajpura-Patli check post in Sadulshahar town, has put a spotlight on cross-border smuggling networks and raised serious questions about enforcement mechanisms.
The Interception and Seizure
Acting on specific intelligence inputs received over several days about large-scale liquor smuggling from Punjab to Gujarat, a joint team from the Sadulshahar police in Sri Ganganagar district and the Bikaner Range Special Team was put on high alert. Barricades were strengthened at the key border check post.
Late Wednesday evening, a Bharat Petroleum diesel tanker arriving from the Punjab side via the Abohar constituency of Fazilka district was stopped for inspection. The driver, identified as 26-year-old Suresh from Ramsariya village in Barmer district, appeared nervous during questioning and could not provide satisfactory answers, prompting a thorough search of the vehicle.
To their surprise, instead of diesel, the tanker's compartment was packed with cartons of illegal alcohol. A total of 322 cartons were recovered, which included 252 cartons of Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and 70 cartons of beer, among other brands.
Political Fallout and Questions on Enforcement
The timing of the seizure has amplified its impact, coming merely a day after the Punjab government launched the second phase of its high-profile anti-drug campaign, ‘Yudhh Nasheyan Virudh,’ from Jalandhar. The incident has triggered immediate political reactions and scrutiny.
Abohar MLA Sandeep Jakhar took to social media platform X to question the lapse. He pointedly asked how such a large consignment managed to cross multiple barriers within Punjab without being detected. "State of affairs… spurious liquor mafia at work," he posted, highlighting the irony of the seizure occurring just after the launch of the state's new anti-narcotics drive.
When questioned about how the tanker crossed the Rajpura barrier located in Fazilka district, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gurmeet Singh of Fazilka stated he needed to check the case details, indicating an internal review was likely.
Investigation and Next Steps
The Rajasthan Police have seized the tanker and arrested the driver, Suresh. Officials confirmed that interrogation is underway to unravel the entire smuggling network, including the source of the liquor in Punjab and its intended recipients in Gujarat.
This seizure underscores the sophisticated methods employed by smuggling syndicates, using modified fuel tankers to bypass routine checks. It also casts a shadow on the effectiveness of interstate border vigilance, as the consignment was caught only after it had entered Rajasthan, despite originating from and passing through Punjab.
The case remains under active investigation as authorities work to trace the supply chain and hold all involved parties accountable.
