Raid on Fake Country Liquor Stockpile; Seizure Worth ₹51.32 Lakh

Mumbai : Acting on a tip-off, the Konkan Divisional Flying Squad of the State Excise Department carried out a raid on June 5 at an illegal country liquor stockpile located near A.K. Electricals, Mumbra-Panvel Road, Mundra, Shilphata (Taluka & District: Thane). A total of ₹51,32,940 worth of illegal goods was seized during the operation.

The raid followed specific information that fake country liquor from Goa was being transported through the Mumbra-Panvel Road, Shilphata area. Under the leadership of Inspector Digambar Shewale, the team laid a trap and intercepted a chocolate-colored Eicher truck (Reg. No. GJ-06-BV-5822). Inside the truck, they found a large consignment of counterfeit liquor: 121 boxes of 90 ml bottles and 729 boxes of 180 ml bottles.

Accused Laxman Singh Nathu Singh Rathod, age 37, resident of Bassi, Taluka Salumber, District Udaipur (Rajasthan), was arrested. The police seized a total of 850 boxes of fake country liquor from Goa, the Eicher truck, and a mobile phone, with a combined estimated value of ₹51.32 lakh.

The operation was carried out under the guidance of State Excise Commissioner Dr. Rajesh Deshmukh, with instructions from Joint Commissioner Prasad Surve, Divisional Deputy Commissioner Pradeep Pawar, and Thane Superintendent Pravin Tambe.

The raid was successfully executed by Inspector Digambar Shewale, Sub-Inspector Mr. Yadav, Rinkesh Dangat, V. V. Sakpal, Asst. Sub-Inspector Mahavir Kolekar, and constables Shriram Rathod, Hanumant Gadhave, Amit Sanap, Kunal Tadvi, and Harshal Kharbas. Sub-Inspector H.B. Yadav is leading the ongoing investigation.