Delhi Police have dismantled an unusual bootlegging operation that employed camels to smuggle illicit liquor into the capital, arresting five men and rescuing three camels. The innovative tactic, aimed at evading heightened police vigilance, involved transporting liquor through forest trails from Faridabad to Delhi’s Sangam Vihar, authorities revealed on Friday.

The operation unfolded late Thursday night when the South District’s Anti Auto Theft Squad acted on a tip-off. “Camels can navigate forest paths silently, avoiding roads and suspicion, unlike vehicles that are easily intercepted,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Ankit Chauhan. The police seized 42 cartons containing 1,990 quarter bottles of illicit liquor and 24 beer bottles, along with the camels, which will be handed over to animal-welfare agencies.

The arrested individuals—Vinod Bhadana (48), Sunil Bhadana (38), Rahul (22), Ajay (25), and Saurabh (26)—face charges under the Delhi Excise Act. Ajay and Rahul have prior records of theft and excise violations, while Vinod and Sunil, both from Faridabad, also have past excise cases. Saurabh, from Uttar Pradesh, recently joined the group. The gang admitted to using camels deliberately to bypass police checkpoints, exploiting their ability to traverse non-motorable paths unnoticed.

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Chauhan noted that increased border surveillance had pushed bootleggers to adopt this unconventional method. The case highlights the evolving tactics of smugglers and the challenges faced by law enforcement in curbing illicit trade in Delhi, where excise violations remain a persistent issue.

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