Major Liquor Seizure on Nashik-Pune Highway by State Excise Officials
In a significant crackdown on illegal liquor transportation, officials from the Maharashtra State Excise Department executed a major seizure on Sunday, confiscating Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) valued at approximately Rs 1.3 crore. The operation targeted a truck intercepted on the busy Nashik-Pune highway, which was allegedly smuggling the consignment into the Nandurbar district.
Operation Based on Intelligence Tip-Off
The action was initiated after the Nashik office of the state excise department received specific intelligence regarding the illegal transport of liquor in a particular truck plying along the Nashik-Pune highway. Acting swiftly on this tip, excise officials set up a strategic trap on the highway to monitor and intercept the vehicle.
The truck was successfully spotted and stopped near Shinde village, located on the Sinnar-Nashik stretch of the highway. During a thorough inspection, authorities discovered a massive haul of 65,760 bottles of Goa-manufactured liquor, each of 180ml capacity, belonging to a specific brand. The bottles were meticulously packed in 1,370 boxes, indicating a large-scale smuggling operation.
Seizure Details and Legal Actions
In addition to the liquor consignment, the officials also seized the truck itself, which is estimated to be worth over Rs 20 lakh. This dual seizure underscores the department's commitment to dismantling the logistical networks supporting such illegal activities.
A case has been formally registered against the truck driver, identified as Ram Harbhajan Ram (28), a resident of Badmer in Rajasthan. The driver is now facing legal proceedings as part of the ongoing investigation into this smuggling attempt.
Ongoing Investigation and Key Inquiries
The investigation is being led by Inspector Vilas Bamne of the state excise department, under the guidance of Nashik SP Santosh Zagade. Inspector Bamne has highlighted that several critical aspects of the case remain under scrutiny.
Key questions yet to be answered include:
- The exact origin point from where the truck driver procured the liquor.
- The identity of the consignment's owner or the mastermind behind the smuggling operation.
- The precise intended destination within Nandurbar or beyond.
Preliminary inquiries have indicated that the liquor was indeed headed towards Nandurbar, suggesting a targeted attempt to supply illegal alcohol to that region. However, further details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses, with officials working to uncover the full scope of this illicit network.
This seizure marks a significant victory for the state excise department in its ongoing efforts to curb illegal liquor trade and enforce regulatory compliance across Maharashtra.
