Gujarat Police seize liquor worth ₹22 lakh in 3 raids, 11 arrested
Synopsis
Gujarat's State Monitoring Cell busted three inter-district liquor networks in 72 hours, seizing over 8,397 bottles of IMFL worth more than ₹22 lakh across Amreli, Aravalli, and Valsad. With 16 accused still at large — including suppliers linked to Kheda and Ahmedabad — the raids expose an organised bootlegging chain operating across a dry state.
Key Takeaways
The Gujarat Police State Monitoring Cell (SMC) conducted three liquor raids across Amreli , Aravalli , and Valsad districts on 12–14 September 2026 .
A total of 8,397 bottles of Indian-made liquor and beer worth more than ₹22 lakh were seized across the three operations.
11 people were arrested and 16 others declared wanted, spanning districts including Navsari, Botad, Ahmedabad, and Godhra.
The largest single haul — 3,870 bottles valued at ₹10,58,682 — was recovered in Aravalli district on 13 September.
Cases were registered at Babra , Bayad , and Pardi police stations under the Gujarat Prohibition Act .
Six women were among those arrested in the Valsad operation, highlighting the broad network involved in the smuggling chain.
The Gujarat Police State Monitoring Cell (SMC) seized Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) worth more than ₹22 lakh across three separate enforcement operations in Amreli, Aravalli, and Valsad districts, arresting 11 people and declaring 16 others as wanted accused, officials confirmed on Monday, 14 September 2026.
Valsad District Raid: 1,514 Bottles, 8 Arrested
The most recent operation was conducted within the limits of Pardi police station in Valsad district, where a team led by SMC Police Sub-Inspector J.S. Rajput swept through Kikerla village in Daman, Udvada railway station, and National Highway 48 in Pardi taluka. Around 25 boxes containing approximately 1,514 bottles of Indian-made liquor and beer were recovered, valued at ₹3,21,937. Including two vehicles, two mobile phones, and other material, the total value of seized items stood at ₹3,71,937.
Eight people were arrested in this operation, including Harshad Halpati of Jalalpor in Navsari district and Kamlesh Patel of Rentlav in Pardi. Six women were also among those arrested, allegedly found in possession of the consignment. Seven others were declared wanted, including Shailesh alias Shaiyla Vankad Patel of Nani Daman and Bhavesh alias Bhavlo Kalio of Pardi. A case was registered at Pardi police station under Sections 65(A)(E), 81, 83, 98(2) and 116(B) of the Prohibition Act.
Amreli District Raid: 3,013 Bottles, ₹19.5 Lakh Seized
On 12 September, the SMC raided a water sump building on farm land in Khumbhala village under Babra taluka in Amreli district, unearthing around 70 boxes holding 3,013 bottles of Indian-made liquor and beer. The liquor alone was valued at ₹8,44,507, while the total haul — including three vehicles, one mobile phone, cash, and other items — was worth ₹19,51,107.
Two people were arrested: Raviraj Khachar of Nilvada village and Raghuvir Khachar of Khumbhala village. Three others were declared wanted — Lalabhai Garania of Gadhada, Maulik Teraiya of Babra, and Desurabhai Gadhvi of Sitapar village in Botad district.
Aravalli District Raid: Largest Seizure, 3,870 Bottles Recovered
The largest single consignment was uncovered on 13 September in Aravalli district, when the SMC raided a public road on the outskirts of Vatrak village within Bayad police station limits. Around 100 boxes carrying 3,870 bottles of Indian-made liquor and beer were seized, valued at ₹10,58,682. Total seized material, including one vehicle, two mobile phones, and other items, amounted to ₹20,69,682.
One person — Anant Kumar Patel of Moti Katdi Madh Faliya in Godhra — was arrested, while six others were declared wanted. Among the wanted was Abhesing Jadeja from Ahmedabad, along with a person allegedly involved in supplying liquor from Chaklasi in Kheda district, and four others linked to transporting, piloting vehicles, or owning the vehicle used in the operation.
Enforcement Context and What It Signals
Gujarat has operated under a total prohibition regime since 1960, making IMFL seizures of this scale a recurring law-enforcement priority. The involvement of the SMC — a specialised statewide monitoring body — rather than local station police underscores the organised, inter-district nature of the liquor supply chain uncovered in these raids. Notably, the Aravalli seizure alone exceeded ₹20 lakh in total value, suggesting a well-funded trafficking network linking districts as far apart as Kheda, Godhra, Ahmedabad, and Botad. Cases have been registered at Babra, Bayad, and Pardi police stations under relevant provisions of the Gujarat Prohibition Act. The search for 16 declared-wanted accused is ongoing.
Point of View
Rather than local police, and the scale of the Aravalli haul (₹20 lakh-plus in a single road intercept) suggest that local station policing alone has been insufficient. The 16 declared-wanted accused — spread across Ahmedabad, Botad, Kheda, and Daman — point to a franchise-style network, not opportunistic bootlegging. Whether these arrests translate into conviction, or whether the wanted accused simply regroup, will be the real measure of this crackdown's success.
NationPress
14 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much liquor did Gujarat Police seize in the three raids?
Gujarat Police seized Indian Made Foreign Liquor and beer worth more than ₹22 lakh across three separate raids in Amreli, Aravalli, and Valsad districts between 12 and 14 September 2026. A total of approximately 8,397 bottles were recovered from the three locations.
Who carried out the Gujarat liquor raids?
The raids were conducted by the Gujarat Police State Monitoring Cell (SMC), a specialised statewide enforcement body. In the Valsad operation, the team was led by SMC Police Sub-Inspector J.S. Rajput.
How many people were arrested and who are the wanted accused?
Eleven people were arrested across the three raids, while 16 others were declared wanted. The wanted accused include individuals from Ahmedabad, Daman, Botad, Babra, and Kheda districts, allegedly involved in supplying, transporting, and piloting vehicles carrying the consignment.
Under which law were cases registered?
Cases were registered at Babra, Bayad, and Pardi police stations under relevant provisions of the Gujarat Prohibition Act, including Sections 65(A)(E), 81, 83, 98(2), and 116(B) in the Valsad case.
Why does Gujarat have a liquor prohibition?
Gujarat has enforced total prohibition since 1960, making the possession, sale, and consumption of alcohol illegal for most residents. The state's dry law makes IMFL seizures a high law-enforcement priority, with regular raids by specialised cells like the SMC.
