ED Investigates Illegal Sale of 1 Lakh Liquor Bottles

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted raids at 10 locations across Delhi-NCR, Haryana, and Punjab. This action has been taken as part of an investigation into money laundering and the illegal sale of foreign liquor by the Gurugram-based liquor outlet 'The Theka'. According to a report by India Today, the syndicate is alleged to have procured and sold imported liquor without the mandatory holograms and track-and-trace strips.

According to the agency, approximately 1 lakh bottles of liquor were sold illegally through this operation. A profit of 20 to 25 per cent was earned from these sales, and according to ED estimates, earnings exceeding ₹10 crore have been made through this criminal activity.

The search operation was carried out by the ED's Gurugram Zonal Office on November 3 and 4, 2026, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. During this process, the agency seized ₹11 lakh in cash, digital records related to liquor supplies, and several important documents.

The primary focus of the investigation is 'The Theka', which is owned by Ankush Goyal and his partners. The ED is investigating the alleged links of this outlet with foreign liquor suppliers, transporters, and other individuals involved in the distribution of imported liquor without identification and tracking requirements. The raids were conducted at the residential and office premises of persons associated with the liquor outlet, unauthorised suppliers, and transporters.

This money laundering probe was initiated based on an FIR and chargesheet filed by the Haryana Police. The case began with a complaint from excise officials, following which 3,921 cases and 176 loose bottles of imported foreign liquor without holograms and track-and-trace strips were seized from 'The Theka' on December 9, 2025. Additionally, the ED learned that the Haryana Police have also registered an FIR against some members of the syndicate regarding the sale of spurious liquor.

Investigations have revealed that the liquor was imported into India by government-approved companies. However, the syndicate misused the 'bond-to-bond' transfer system, which allows the movement of liquor between states without immediate payment of customs and excise duty. For this purpose, the accused established separate companies in Haryana and Goa/Maharashtra and obtained the necessary customs licenses.

After making payments to foreign suppliers through banking channels, the goods were brought to bonded warehouses in Haryana. However, instead of being sent to the designated warehouses in Goa or Maharashtra, the goods were diverted directly to liquor outlets in Gurugram in collusion with transporters. Subsequently, this imported liquor was sold to customers as legal stock without payment of customs duty, state excise tax, and other levies.

According to the ED, after obtaining liquor licenses for the 2025-2027 period, the syndicate devised a strategy to procure and sell imported liquor without mandatory holograms and tracking strips to increase profits.