Police seize foreign liquor worth Over Rs 67 Lakh, one held in Gujarat

In a major crackdown on prohibition violations, the Vadodara Rural Local Crime Branch (LCB) in Gujarat seized foreign liquor worth over ₹57 lakh and arrested one individual.

Acting on a specific tip-off, the LCB intercepted an Eicher tempo carrying the contraband during routine patrolling. The vehicle was stopped near Sagar Hotel on the National Highway between Bharuch and Vadodara. 

A search revealed multiple cartons of foreign liquor and beer, with an estimated value of ₹57.22 lakh.

In addition to the alcohol, the tempo, tarpaulin sheets, and other materials were seized, bringing the total value of confiscated items to ₹67.29 lakh. 

The driver, identified as Rajesh Venamshil Jeswani, a resident of Raj Society in Naroda, Ahmedabad, was arrested on the spot.

Police said the liquor was being transported from Surat to Vadodara via Bharuch. An FIR has been filed at Karjan Police Station against Jeswani and the supplier of the illicit liquor. Legal proceedings are currently underway.

Despite Gujarat being a dry state under the Gujarat Prohibition Act since 1960, illegal trade in foreign liquor remains rampant. Bootleggers often exploit the state’s borders with Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and union territories like Daman and Diu—regions with more relaxed liquor laws—to smuggle in contraband.

According to the Gujarat Prohibition and Excise Department, over ₹250 crore worth of liquor was seized across the state in 2023 alone. Smugglers continue to use inventive tactics, such as hiding liquor in fuel tankers, commercial vehicles, and private cars, frequently employing fake permits and decoy consignments to evade law enforcement.