Ahmedabad, Oct 25 (NationPress) In a significant operation, local authorities conducted a raid on a rave party in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, resulting in the detention of 15 individuals who were allegedly consuming alcohol in this dry state.

The Bopal Police initiated the raid following a tip-off about the gathering at Zephyr Farmhouse near Shilaj, where both liquor and drugs were reportedly available.

Upon their arrival, authorities discovered 15 intoxicated attendees, including 13 foreign nationals hailing from Nigeria, Mozambique, Kenya, and several other African nations, alongside two local Indians.

Further investigations unveiled that the event organizers had created special passes promoting 'unlimited alcohol', indicating a well-orchestrated plan behind the party.

All 15 individuals were detained, and a case has been registered. Authorities are intensifying efforts to uncover the main organizers, the owner of the farmhouse, and the sources of the liquor in a state notorious for its alcohol ban.

Since 1960, Gujarat has enforced strict alcohol prohibition under the Gujarat Prohibition Act, 1949, outlawing the sale, consumption, and production of liquor throughout the state.

This law encompasses all types of alcoholic beverages, including Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL), country-made liquor, and spirits, with rare exceptions for medicinal, industrial, and export purposes, which must receive government authorization. Breaching this Act can lead to severe consequences, including imprisonment, hefty fines, and confiscation of assets involved in illicit activities.

Despite the stringent laws, the illegal liquor trade remains a pressing concern in Gujarat.

In 2024 alone, authorities seized around 82 lakh bottles of liquor valued at Rs 144 crore statewide. Notably, Ahmedabad accounted for more than 4.38 lakh bottles, with 2,139 cases of IMFL and 7,796 cases of country-made liquor. The State Monitoring Cell (SMC) recorded 455 cases, seizing liquor worth Rs 22.5 crore and items valued at nearly Rs 52 crore.

In a notable operation, the SMC confiscated over 8,500 bottles of foreign liquor worth Rs 1.19 crore in Chotila taluka, Surendranagar.

Furthermore, authorities intercepted a boat off the coast of Una, Rajkot, carrying liquor valued at Rs 25 lakh.

These incidents underscore ongoing efforts to tackle the illegal liquor trade, which often involves smuggling from neighboring states like Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.