Gujarat Police seize ₹1.32 crore liquor haul in Vav-Tharad; four wanted
Synopsis
Gujarat's State Monitoring Cell intercepted 31,836 bottles of IMFL and beer worth ₹1.32 crore near the Badhiyapura toll plaza in Vav-Tharad — the latest in a string of large highway seizures pointing to an organised cross-border supply chain funnelling liquor into dry-state Gujarat from Rajasthan.
Key Takeaways
The Gujarat Police SMC seized 31,836 bottles of IMFL and beer worth ₹1,20,47,280 near the Badhiyapura toll plaza , Vav-Tharad , on 13 August .
Total value of all confiscated property stands at ₹1,32,00,680 , including 884 boxes of liquor.
The raid was led by Police Inspector P.V.
Jebeliya under directions from DGP G.S.
Alleged main accused Harish Kankuna of Sodiyar, Barmer, Rajasthan is among four wanted in the case.
A case has been filed at Tharad Police Station under multiple sections of the Gujarat Prohibition Act .
The seizure follows a ₹1.74 crore haul in June and a ₹79.26 lakh recovery in August on the Vadodara-Ahmedabad Expressway corridor.
The Gujarat Police's State Monitoring Cell (SMC) seized Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) and beer worth ₹1,20,47,280 during a raid near the Badhiyapura toll plaza in Vav-Tharad on Thursday, 13 August, with the total value of all confiscated property placed at ₹1,32,00,680. The operation recovered approximately 884 boxes containing 31,836 bottles of IMFL and beer, marking one of the larger single-haul seizures in the region this year.
How the Raid Unfolded
The operation was conducted on the highway stretch from Tharad towards the Badhiyapura toll plaza in Tharad taluka, following directions from Director General of Police G.S. Malik to intensify action against illegal liquor and gambling activities across the state. The raiding team was led by Police Inspector P.V. Jebeliya of the SMC.
A case has been registered at Tharad Police Station under Sections 65(A)(E), 81, 83, 98(2), and 116(B) of the Gujarat Prohibition Act. Four individuals have been named as wanted in connection with the case.
Who Is Accused
Authorities identified Harish Kankuna, a resident of Sodiyar in Rajasthan's Barmer district, as the alleged main accused who reportedly dispatched the liquor consignment. The owner and driver of the truck used for transportation, along with one other individual, are also wanted in connection with the alleged ordering and movement of the consignment.
A Pattern of Large Recoveries
This seizure is part of a sustained enforcement drive by Gujarat's prohibition authorities. In June, the SMC had seized IMFL worth more than ₹1.49 crore near Bibipura on the Vadodara-Ahmedabad Expressway, with the total value of seized property reported at around ₹1.74 crore. A separate operation in August yielded 12,843 bottles of IMFL and beer worth ₹59.23 lakh near the same expressway corridor, with the overall seizure valued at ₹79.26 lakh.
Notably, the repeated interceptions on highway corridors — particularly the Vadodara-Ahmedabad Expressway and now the Tharad-Badhiyapura route — point to organised supply chains attempting to exploit inter-state movement into Gujarat, where prohibition laws remain in force.
What Happens Next
With four accused still at large, investigators are expected to pursue the cross-border supply chain angle given that the alleged primary sender is based in neighbouring Rajasthan. Enforcement pressure under DGP Malik's directive is likely to continue across major highway entry points into the state.
Point of View
Each on a major highway corridor, each with cross-border supply links. That pattern suggests enforcement is catching up with a well-organised network rather than opportunistic smuggling. The real question is whether arrests and prosecutions follow at the same pace as seizures; Gujarat's prohibition regime has historically been better at interception than conviction. With the alleged kingpin based in Rajasthan's Barmer district, this case will test inter-state coordination between Gujarat and Rajasthan Police.
NationPress
13 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was seized in the Gujarat Police raid near Badhiyapura toll plaza?
The Gujarat Police SMC recovered approximately 884 boxes containing 31,836 bottles of IMFL and beer worth ₹1,20,47,280 near the Badhiyapura toll plaza in Vav-Tharad on 13 August. The total value of all confiscated property, including other seized material, was placed at ₹1,32,00,680.
Who is the main accused in the Vav-Tharad liquor seizure case?
Authorities have identified Harish Kankuna, a resident of Sodiyar in Rajasthan's Barmer district, as the alleged main accused who reportedly sent the liquor consignment. The truck owner, driver, and one other individual are also wanted in the case.
Under which laws has the case been registered?
A case has been filed at Tharad Police Station under Sections 65(A)(E), 81, 83, 98(2), and 116(B) of the Gujarat Prohibition Act. Four accused have been named as wanted in connection with the alleged illegal transportation and supply of liquor.
Is this part of a wider enforcement drive in Gujarat?
Yes. Director General of Police G.S. Malik had directed the SMC to intensify action against illegal liquor and gambling statewide. The Vav-Tharad seizure follows a ₹1.74 crore haul near Bibipura in June and a ₹79.26 lakh recovery near the Ahmedabad-Vadodara Expressway in August.
Why does liquor smuggling persist in Gujarat?
Gujarat is a prohibition state, meaning the sale and consumption of alcohol is legally restricted, creating a significant black market. Smugglers reportedly exploit inter-state highway corridors — particularly routes from Rajasthan — to move consignments into the state, making highway toll plazas a key enforcement flashpoint.
