How Much Liquor Was Seized on the Rajkot-Ahmedabad Highway?
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Synopsis
In a significant crackdown on illegal liquor trade, the Surat Municipal Corporation seized over Rs 2.08 crore worth of alcohol from a truck on the Rajkot-Ahmedabad highway. With multiple arrests and ongoing investigations into smuggling networks, this incident highlights the persistent challenge of liquor smuggling in Gujarat.
Key Takeaways
- Surat Municipal Corporation seized 13,931 liquor bottles.
- Total value of the haul exceeds Rs 2.08 crore.
- Two arrests made; four suspects still at large.
- Illegal liquor trade remains a significant challenge in Gujarat.
- Ongoing investigations reveal complex smuggling networks.
Surat, Aug 18 (NationPress) The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) team successfully confiscated 13,931 bottles of liquor valued at Rs 1.79 crore along with other valuable items, bringing the overall seizure to over Rs 2.08 crore from a truck located within a hotel compound near Baldana village on the Rajkot-Ahmedabad highway. Two individuals were apprehended, while four others connected to the case are still at large.
As per SMC officials, the truck was discovered under suspicious circumstances on the grounds of Panchdev Hotel. A thorough search revealed liquor valued at Rs 1,78,67,900, a truck estimated at Rs 30 lakh, three mobile phones worth Rs 15,000, and cash totaling Rs 5,825. The arrested individuals have been identified as Dharmesh alias Dhruv Dineshbhai from Joravarnagar and truck driver Achalraj Rajuram from Rajasthan.
The four others implicated in the case include Vijay Lakhdhir Khachar from Wadhwan, identified as the principal suspect who ordered the liquor, along with his associate Narendra Kanubhai Jalu, Manish alias Sutar Sharma from Rajasthan, and his collaborator Sataram Jat. All six individuals have been charged under the Prohibition Act.
Throughout 2025, Gujarat has been facing significant challenges with rampant liquor smuggling despite strict prohibition laws. In just the first two months, the State Monitoring Cell (SMC) seized liquor worth Rs 6.58 crore, including illicit shipments and associated assets valued at Rs 11.47 crore—almost one-third of the previous year's total enforcement figures.
Mid-year raids further bolstered the figures— the SMC intercepted foreign-made liquor worth Rs 1.19 crore from a farmhouse in Surendranagar, and in Bharuch, authorities halted a massive shipment of 'Goa liquor'—56,640 bottles valued at Rs 1.27 crore.
Additionally, at the Gujarat-Madhya Pradesh border in Dahod, police seized 17,316 bottles hidden inside a gas tanker, with an estimated value of Rs 30.57 lakh, bringing the total seizure (including the vehicle) to approximately Rs 50.62 lakh. Just this week, in Bareja, the Ahmedabad Rural LCB uncovered 792 concealed bottles and beer cans worth Rs 2.76 lakh.
These operations collectively expose not only the extensive volume of illegal liquor entering the state but also the determination and complexity of smuggling networks.
Point of View
I emphasize the importance of rigorously addressing the ongoing issues surrounding liquor smuggling in Gujarat. The recent seizure by the Surat Municipal Corporation not only exposes the scale of the problem but also highlights the need for continued vigilance and effective enforcement of prohibition laws across the state.
NationPress
20/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the total value of the liquor seized in Surat?
The total value of the liquor seized was over Rs 2.08 crore.
How many bottles of liquor were confiscated?
A total of 13,931 bottles of liquor were confiscated.
What were the circumstances of the seizure?
The liquor was seized from a truck parked inside a hotel compound near Baldana village on the Rajkot-Ahmedabad highway.
How many individuals were arrested?
Two individuals were arrested in connection with the case.
What other valuables were found alongside the liquor?
Along with the liquor, the authorities found a truck, mobile phones, and cash.
