Maharashtra Excise Seizes Rs 1.96 Crore Liquor, Two Arrested

Maharashtra State Excise Department seized Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) valued at a staggering Rs 1.96 crore from a truck in Thane district on Wednesday. The operation, executed by the Konkan division’s flying squad, has sent shockwaves through the region’s black-market networks.

The bust occurred on Mumbra-Panvel Road, where officials intercepted a Rajasthan-registered truck carrying a massive haul of 1,560 boxes of whiskey from various brands. Divisional Deputy Commissioner Pradeep Pawar, who led the operation, confirmed that the team confiscated not only the liquor but also the truck, three mobile phones, and other assets linked to the illegal transport. The seized liquor, estimated at Rs 1.96 crore, marks one of the largest hauls in recent months.

Two individuals, Sahid Mehmuda Khan, 49, and Pankaj Jagdish Saket, 25, were arrested at the scene. Both have been charged under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949, for their role in the illicit transportation. Authorities suspect the duo was part of a larger smuggling ring operating across state lines.

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According to Pawar, the department is now digging deeper to uncover the origins of the liquor stock and identify its intended recipients. “This seizure is a significant blow to illegal liquor networks,” Pawar stated. “We are committed to tracing the supply chain and bringing all involved to justice.”

The operation highlights the excise department’s intensified efforts to curb the illegal liquor trade, which has been a persistent issue in Maharashtra. Sources indicate that such smuggling operations often exploit lax border checks to transport large quantities of untaxed alcohol, undercutting legal markets and fueling organized crime.

Local residents expressed relief at the news, with many praising the department’s vigilance. “This kind of action keeps our communities safer,” said Anil Sharma, a Thane shopkeeper. “Illegal liquor trade often brings trouble to our neighborhoods.”

The investigation is ongoing, with officials analyzing call records from the confiscated phones to uncover potential leads. The department has vowed to crack down further on such activities, signaling more operations in the near future.

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