In a significant crackdown on the illegal liquor trade, the Jhabua police successfully intercepted a major consignment of illicit alcohol on Tuesday. The operation led to the seizure of a truckload of liquor, with its total value estimated to be over a staggering Rs 2 crore.
Tip-Off Leads to Highway Interception
According to Jhabua Superintendent of Police Shivdayal Singh, the Kotwali police unit received specific intelligence about a truck transporting a large quantity of illegal liquor. The vehicle was reportedly moving towards the Gujarat border. Acting swiftly on this tip, a police team was deployed to track down the suspect vehicle.
The truck, which bore a Maharashtra registration number, was eventually located near the Indore–Ahmedabad highway. When the police signaled for it to stop, the driver made a desperate escape, abandoning the vehicle and fleeing the scene on foot.
Massive Haul of Premium and Country Liquor Uncovered
Upon conducting a thorough search of the abandoned truck, officers uncovered a cleverly concealed cache of alcohol. The illicit stock was hidden underneath sacks of maize, a common tactic used by smugglers to avoid detection.
The seized consignment included:
- A large stock of premium beer, valued at approximately Rs 1.60 crore.
- Thousands of bottles containing other spirits such as whisky, rum, and vodka.
Investigators confirmed that the haul comprised both foreign and country-made liquor varieties. The combined market value of the entire seizure was pegged at more than Rs 2 crore, marking it as a substantial bust for the local police force.
Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation
The Jhabua police have registered a formal case under the relevant sections of the Excise Act. While the primary suspect, the truck driver, remains at large, authorities are actively pursuing leads to apprehend him and trace the origins of the contraband.
This interception highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies in Madhya Pradesh to curb the smuggling of illicit liquor, especially across state borders. The successful operation near a major national highway underscores the vigilance of the police in acting on actionable intelligence to disrupt illegal supply chains.
