Action Against Illegal Foreign Liquor Transport; Stock Worth ₹2.22 Crore Seized

Mumbai, Sept 2025 : The State Excise Department regularly takes action against the illegal sale and transportation of foreign liquor. Acting on a tip-off, the department seized illegal liquor worth ₹2.22 crore during a raid in Thane district.

Based on confidential information, officials set up a trap in front of Taloja Roofing Industries, Saduddin Estate, Mumbra–Panvel Road, Manjarli, and stopped a truck. On inspection, a large stock of illegal foreign liquor was found hidden in the rear of the vehicle. In total, 1,560 boxes of liquor of various brands were discovered.

Two persons in the vehicle were arrested under different provisions of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949. The seizure included 1,560 boxes of liquor from outside the state, a 12-wheeler chocolate-colored truck (registration no. RJ 52 GA 3762), and three mobile phones—together valued at approximately ₹2.22 crore.

The arrested accused are:

• Sahid Mehmooda Khan (age 49), resident of Chhaysa, Hathin taluka, Palwal district (Haryana)
• Pankaj Jagdish Saket (age 25), resident of Kalwari, Teonthar taluka, Rewa district (Madhya Pradesh).

The operation was carried out under the directives of State Excise Commissioner Dr. Rajesh Deshmukh, Joint Commissioner Prasad Surve, and Konkan Divisional Deputy Commissioner Pradeep Pawar.

The raid was led by Inspector Digambar Shevale, with Deputy Inspectors H.B. Yadav, Rinkesh Dangat, V.V. Sakpal, Assistant Deputy Inspector Mahavir Kolekar, and constables Harshal Kharbas, Shriram Rathod, Hanumant Gadhve, Amit Sanap, Kunal Tadvi, and Sagar Chaudhary.

Further investigation is being conducted by Inspector Digambar Shevale.