In a significant operation on Sunday morning, Nagpur police confiscated counterfeit liquor valued in the lakhs from a truck en route to Alapalli, a locality in Gadchiroli district. This area is designated as a prohibition zone, where authorities are actively combating the illegal liquor trade. The seizure underscores ongoing efforts to address the challenges posed by counterfeit alcohol in regions where its sale is banned.
Acting on a tip-off received by police constable Ajay Shukla, a team from Wadi police station laid a trap near 8th mile weekly market under Wadi police station limits in the early hours of September 20. Between 2.30am and 5.10am, officers intercepted truck and detained its driver, Abdul Tausif Abdul Hafiz (34), a resident of Gawlipura. Though the truck appeared to be transporting plastic scrap, a detailed search uncovered 390 boxes concealed beneath the load. Police said the boxes contained 39,000 bottles of liquor, each of 90ml capacity. The seized stock was valued at Rs15.6 lakh, while the overall value of the seizure, including the truck and a mobile phone, was estimated at Rs29 lakh.
Officials from state excise department examined the consignment and found it to be prima facie counterfeit. A case has been registered at Wadi police station, which has taken custody of the accused and the seized goods. Police are now searching for other suspects believed to be involved in the racket.