What Happened in Jamnagar? Liquor Worth Over Rs 41 Lakh Destroyed

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Authorities destroyed over Rs 41 lakh worth of liquor in Jamnagar.
- The operation involved the crushing of 17,497 bottles.
- Seizures came from multiple police divisions.
- Gujarat continues to face challenges with prohibition law violations.
- In 2024, approximately 82 lakh bottles of liquor were confiscated.
In Jamnagar, Gujarat, authorities have destroyed a significant stockpile of English liquor and beer valued at Rs 41.83 lakh, as confirmed by an official on Wednesday.
The operation, executed under strict security measures, involved the presence of senior officials from both the administration and the police force. A total of 17,497 bottles of liquor and beer were crushed using a bulldozer at a designated waste disposal site in a rural area near Jamnagar.
The liquor was confiscated from various police jurisdictions, including the Panchkoshi A. Division, Panchkoshi B. Division, and Kalavad Rural Police Station.
Officials reported that 14,657 bottles were seized from the Panchkoshi A. Division alone, alongside 2,292 bottles from Kalavad Rural Police Station, and 548 bottles from the Panchkoshi B. Division.
The operation was overseen by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Jamnagar Rural, supported by the Mamlatdar’s team, Narcotics Control Branch officials, and police personnel from relevant divisions.
This coordinated initiative underscores the administration's ongoing vigilance and dedication to enforcing laws in prohibited areas. Authorities stated that investigations are continuing to identify the sources and networks linked to the illegal liquor stockpile.
Despite Gujarat being classified as a dry state under its long-standing prohibition policy, the region continues to experience rampant and persistent violations regarding the sale, storage, and consumption of alcohol.
In 2024, authorities confiscated approximately 82 lakh bottles of Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) across the state, valued at around Rs 144 crore. This statistic illustrates the magnitude of the issue — one bottle is seized every four seconds.
Ahmedabad city emerged as a significant hotspot, reporting 2,139 cases involving over three lakh bottles of IMFL, in addition to nearly 8,000 cases of country-made liquor totalling 1.58 lakh litres.
In comparison, Gujarat recorded 466 violations of prohibition laws in 2023, with alcohol valued at around Rs 20 crore being confiscated, nearly doubling the value of confiscations from 2022, which saw 440 cases and Rs 10.4 crore worth of illicit liquor. These rising numbers not only reflect increased enforcement but also highlight the resilience and scale of underground liquor networks operating throughout the state.