A bottle of Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) was seized “every four seconds” in dry Gujarat in 2024, as per the police. The law enfocers seized 82,00,000 bottles worth Rs 144 crore across the state, according to a report.
The majority of seized bottles (4,38,047 to be exact) were reported from Ahmedabad city, Ahmedabad rural, and Western Railways’ Ahmedabad jurisdiction.
Ahmedabad city alone reported 2,139 cases involving 3.06 lakh IMFL bottles. The police also registered 7,796 cases against those involved in the sale and purchase of over 1.58 lakh litres of countrymade liquor.
In Vadodara, IMFL bottles bottles worth Rs 9.8 crore were found in secret compartments of trucks and godowns, according to TOI report.
The police crackdown in Surat rural unearthed Rs 8.9 crore worth of IMFL disguised as household goods in an interstate transport racket. Navsari followed closely with the seizure of 6.23 lakh IMFL bottles. Godhra saw the seizure of Rs 8.8 crore of IMFL bottles.
Bhavnagar reported the seizure of Rs 8.7 crore worth of IMFL and countrymade liquor. The spirits were reportedly concealed in water tanks and under loads of fresh vegetables.
“For the smugglers, the raids served as a stark reminder that no matter how innovative their tactics may be, they will not be allowed to violate the law. The message is clear: There’s no room for the spirit of lawlessness in the land of Gandhi,” a senior official told TOI.