Liquor worth ₹42.56 lakh seized near Surat by State Monitoring Cell

In view of the Diwali festivals, attempts were being made to smuggle a large quantity of foreign liquor into Gujarat. During this period, the State Monitoring Cell (SMC) team has achieved a major success near Surat. According to a report by Sandesh, a large consignment of foreign liquor was seized in front of Hotel Inn on National Highway 48 in the Palod area near Surat.

Based on intelligence, the SMC team had deployed strict surveillance on National Highway number 48. During this, suspicious vehicles were intercepted in front of Hotel Inn located near Palod. The police reached the spot and immediately conducted a search of both vehicles. Upon searching the vehicles, a consignment of foreign liquor kept concealed was found.

The police have seized a total of 6,651 bottles of foreign liquor from the spot. The value of the seized liquor is estimated at ₹24.45 lakh. Two vehicles used for the illegal transport of liquor and two mobile phones used by the accused have also been seized. Cash was also recovered from the vehicles during the investigation. Total property worth ₹42.56 lakh, including liquor, vehicles, mobiles, and cash, has been seized.

During this entire operation, the police have apprehended two bootleggers. Both the apprehended accused have been detained and are being subjected to intensive interrogation. The police have declared five other persons involved in this illegal network as wanted. The investigation has been intensified by the police to catch the five absconding accused.

As such a large quantity of liquor and property has been caught before Diwali, there is significant panic among bootleggers. A sensation has been created by the seizure of such a large consignment from the Surat National Highway. Further legal investigation is being conducted by the State Monitoring Cell in this matter.