How Did Jamnagar Police Seize 481 Bottles of IMFL?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 481 bottles of IMFL were seized from an abandoned vehicle.
- The total estimated value of the seizure is Rs 12.46 lakh.
- Gujarat remains a dry state where alcohol transport is illegal without permits.
- Ongoing crackdown on bootlegging reflects law enforcement's commitment.
- Significant seizures highlight challenges in enforcing prohibition laws.
Jamnagar, Aug 6 (NationPress) In a major breakthrough, the Dhrol police in the Jamnagar district of Gujarat seized 481 bottles of Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) from a deserted vehicle on the Dhrol–Jodiya road. The combined value of the confiscated liquor and the vehicle is estimated to be around Rs 12.46 lakh, according to police officials on Wednesday.
Following a tip-off regarding illegal liquor transport, Dhrol police initiated an operation. Upon arrival, they found a white Hyundai Creta (registration number HR 70 G 6087) abandoned at the roadside.
A meticulous search of the car revealed 481 bottles of IMFL hidden inside.
The police promptly seized both the vehicle and the illegal liquor, commencing an investigation into the matter. Authorities are currently working to identify the owner of the vehicle and any potential bootleggers using the car’s registration information.
Ongoing inquiries aim to uncover the source and intended destination of the liquor, especially as Gujarat remains a dry state where alcohol transport and possession require proper permits.
This seizure occurs against a backdrop of intensified monitoring against bootlegging and smuggling activities in the area.
Despite being a dry state since 1960, Gujarat continues to witness significant illegal liquor seizures.
In 2024 alone, the Gujarat Police confiscated around 82 lakh bottles of IMFL, valued at Rs 144 crore, averaging nearly one bottle seized every four seconds.
Ahmedabad city and its surrounding regions accounted for 4.38 lakh bottles, valued at approximately Rs 5.78 crore across 2,139 cases, while also seizing 1.58 lakh litres of country-made liquor in 7,796 cases, worth Rs 55.45 lakh.
Other districts reported substantial confiscations: Vadodara rural seized Rs 9.8 crore worth of IMFL from hidden compartments, Surat rural uncovered disguised shipments valued at Rs 8.9 crore, while Navsari recorded 6.23 lakh bottles worth Rs 8.8 crore, and both Godhra and Bhavnagar reported similarly large seizures amidst complex smuggling networks across this dry state.