Maharashtra State Excise Department Seizes Liquor Worth Rs 17.27 Lakhs in Pune During Ban Week Raids

Pune, 10th October 2024: The Flying Squad of the Maharashtra State Excise Department’s Pune Division has cracked down on illegal liquor production, transportation, and sales, seizing liquor and related items worth Rs 17.27 lakhs. The operation took place during Liquor Ban Week, from 2nd to 6th October. During this period, the Excise Department formed a special flying squad to raid dhabas and restaurants involved in the illegal sale of alcohol, production of hand-kiln country-made liquor, and the transportation of illegal liquor. A total of 22 cases were registered, and 14 individuals were charged.

In the raids, 14,400 litres of alcohol were confiscated, including 2,115 litres of hand-kiln country-made liquor. Additionally, foreign liquor, beer, and six vehicles (one four-wheeler, one rickshaw, and four two-wheelers) used for transportation were seized. The operation was led by Excise Sub Inspectors Atul Patil, Viraj Mane, and Dheeraj Saste, along with Excise Constables PT Kadam, RJ Chavan, AR Thorat, SS Pondhe, SC Bhat, RT Taralkar, and AR Dalvi.

Excise Inspector Narendra Thorat, in charge of the Pune Division’s Flying Squad, has stated that similar operations will continue in the future. He also urged the public to report any information regarding illegal liquor production and sales to the State Excise Department’s Pune Division.