What Happened in Vadodara? Liquor and Vehicles Seized, Two Arrested

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Gujarat Police seized items worth Rs 87 lakh in Vadodara.
- Two arrests were made; 19 others are wanted.
- Significant liquor seizures have been reported in Gujarat in 2024.
- Ongoing operations highlight the fight against illicit liquor trade.
- Community cooperation is essential for effective law enforcement.
Vadodara, May 30 (NationPress) - The Gujarat Police’s State Monitoring Cell (SMC) executed a significant raid in Vadodara Rural, resulting in the confiscation of foreign liquor, vehicles, and mobile phones with a total estimated value of Rs 87 lakh.
Based on an intelligence tip-off, authorities targeted an area near Munna Jaiswal’s home close to the Savli water tank. The operation led to the recovery of foreign liquor worth Rs 39 lakh and 12 vehicles, which included SUVs, tempos, and two-wheelers valued at Rs 48.80 lakh.
Additionally, officials seized two mobile phones worth Rs 10,000 and a bag of straw estimated at Rs 4,000. Two suspects, identified as Vishal Rajubhai Mali and Vitthalbhai Ravjibhai Mali from the Savli region, were apprehended on-site. Nineteen other individuals, including the primary suspect Dhawal alias Munno Subhash Jaiswal and Sagar Jaiswal, are currently on the run. Other fugitives named include Kamlesh Mali, Bhavesh Mali, Rahul Mali, Nilesh Mali, and Kishan Mali, believed to be involved in logistics and transport.
A formal complaint has been filed at the Savli police station, and legal actions are proceeding. In 2024, Gujarat faced substantial enforcement against illicit liquor, with the SMC reporting 455 liquor-related incidents statewide. These operations led to the confiscation of Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) valued at Rs 22.51 crore and total seized items worth Rs 52 crore.
The Ahmedabad area recorded 2,139 IMFL cases, resulting in the seizure of 3.06 lakh bottles valued at Rs 5.78 crore. Vadodara Rural emerged as a hotspot for liquor seizures, with Rs 9.8 crore worth of IMFL recovered from concealed locations in trucks and warehouses. In Rajkot, a single incident in 2024 led to the recovery of liquor valued at Rs 48,500 and other items worth Rs 5.53 lakh. Meanwhile, officials in Gandhinagar conducted 18 raids, seizing liquor worth Rs 62 lakh and other items totaling Rs 2.9 crore.