What Measures are Being Taken in Ahmedabad Against Liquor Smuggling Ahead of Diwali?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Ahmedabad Police seized liquor worth Rs 2.06 crore ahead of Diwali.
- Destruction of seized liquor was conducted under official supervision.
- Police are committed to enforcing the Gujarat Prohibition Act.
- Significant illicit liquor trafficking continues despite prohibition laws.
- Past two years saw liquor seizures valued at Rs 212 crore.
Ahmedabad, Oct 19 (NationPress) In a significant crackdown prior to Diwali, the Ahmedabad Police initiated a rigorous enforcement operation aimed at upholding the Gujarat Prohibition Act. Over Rs 2.06 crore worth of foreign liquor, seized from two zones within the city, was obliterated using bulldozers.
As reported by police sources, Zone 5 of Ahmedabad East witnessed seizures amounting to Rs 1.69 crore during targeted raids in areas such as Ramol, Nikol, Odhav, Rakhial, Gomtipur, Bapunagar, and Amraiwadi.
In addition, police stations in Zone 7, which includes Sarkhej, Vasna, Satellite, Bodakdev, Vejalpur, Ellisbridge, and Anandnagar, confiscated liquor valued at Rs 37 lakh.
In total, the liquor confiscated amounted to Rs 2.06 crore.
The seized liquor was destroyed in two distinct locations under official supervision, where liquor bottles were arranged on the ground and crushed by the weight of bulldozers.
Senior police officials, including the Deputy Commissioners of Police, Assistant Commissioners of Police, and representatives from relevant government departments, oversaw the demolition operation.
This action underscores the Ahmedabad Police's dedication to maintaining law and order during the festive season, ensuring the city remains free from illicit liquor activities.
Despite Gujarat’s enduring prohibition under the Gujarat Prohibition Act of 1949, the extent of illicit liquor trafficking and confiscation remains significant. For instance, government data indicates that in the past two years, up to December 2022, the state has seized liquor (including Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL), country-made liquor, and beer) valued at approximately Rs 212 crore.
This total includes IMFL worth about Rs 197.56 crore, country-made liquor worth roughly Rs 3.99 crore, and beer valued at around Rs 10.51 crore.
In 2024 alone, official records show that Gujarat Police confiscated around 82 lakh bottles of IMFL worth nearly Rs 144 crore.
Furthermore, in another incident for 2024, the State Monitoring Cell documented 455 cases across Gujarat, seizing liquor estimated at Rs 22.51 crore and a total of items (including liquor) valued close to Rs 52 crore.