The Maharashtra State Excise Department has intensified its crackdown on liquor smuggling and illegal liquor businesses in Palghar district ahead of Diwali, seizing liquor, vehicles and other materials worth more than Rs 56 lakh and arresting 28 people, reported the PTI.
According to an official release issued on Friday, the department seized property worth Rs 56,32,355 during multiple enforcement operations across the district.
In a major operation on Thursday, a joint team of the Dahanu Excise Department and the Palghar Flying Squad busted an inter-state liquor smuggling racket in Vikramgad taluka.
Vehicle intercepted after dramatic chase
Acting on a tip-off, excise officials laid a trap along the Kasa-Jawhar road. Following a chase, the team intercepted a vehicle that had veered off the road into a farm.
During the search, officials recovered 47 boxes of foreign liquor worth Rs 8.04 lakh. The liquor was manufactured exclusively for sale in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and was not permitted for sale in Maharashtra, according to the PTI.
The Eicher vehicle, valued at Rs 15 lakh, was also seized. The total value of the confiscated liquor and vehicle stood at Rs 23.04 lakh, the news agency reported.
28 arrested, 20 cases registered in Vasai
In a separate special enforcement drive ordered by the Commissioner of State Excise, the Vasai Excise Office registered 20 cases under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act between October 26 and November 5.
The operation resulted in the arrest of 28 people and the seizure of five vehicles, 3,640 litres of toddy, 138 litres of illicitly brewed liquor and other materials.
The total value of the seized liquor, vehicles and other prohibition-related goods in these cases was estimated at Rs 33,28,355.
Action against four dhabas near Vasai beaches
The excise department also took action against four roadside eateries (dhabas) in the Rajodi area of Vasai for multiple violations.
Officials also booked individuals found consuming alcohol near Navapur and Rajodi beaches as part of the enforcement drive.
Round-the-clock patrolling to curb smuggling
Palghar Excise Superintendent Ganesh Bargaje said strict surveillance and round-the-clock patrolling were being maintained across routes in the district to prevent inter-state liquor smuggling and illegal liquor operations.
The department has stepped up enforcement ahead of Diwali to curb the sale and distribution of unauthorised liquor and take action against establishments violating prohibition laws.
Overall, the operations resulted in seizures worth Rs 56.32 lakh, including liquor, vehicles and other materials.
(with PTI inputs)
* This article was originally published here
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