Gandhinagar, Sep 14 (IANS): The Gujarat Police State Monitoring Cell (SMC) seized Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) worth more than Rs 22 lakh in three separate raids in Amreli, Aravalli and Valsad districts, arresting 11 people and naming 16 others as wanted accused, police said on Monday.
In the latest raid, conducted within the limits of Valsad district’s Pardi police station, the SMC seized liquor and beer worth Rs 3,21,937, along with two vehicles, two mobile phones, and other material, taking the total value of the seized items to Rs 3,71,937.
The raid was carried out by a team led by SMC Police Sub-Inspector J.S. Rajput from Kikerla village in Daman and Udvada railway station and National Highway 48 in Pardi taluka.
Police said around 25 boxes containing Indian-made liquor and beer, comprising 1,514 bottles, were seized during the operation. Eight people were arrested, and seven others were declared wanted. A case was registered at Pardi police station under Sections 65(A)(E), 81, 83, 98(2) and 116(B) of the Prohibition Act.
Among those arrested were Harshad Halpati, a resident of Jalalpor in Navsari district, and Kamlesh Patel, a resident of Rentlav in Pardi. Police also arrested six women who were allegedly found with the liquor consignment.
The seven wanted accused include Shailesh alias Shaiyla Vankad Patel of Nani Daman and Bhavesh alias Bhavlo Kalio of Pardi. Police said five others, including those allegedly involved in transporting liquor in rickshaws, were also wanted.
In Amreli district, the SMC raided a water sump building in the farm area of Khumbhala village under Babra taluka on September 12 and seized around 70 boxes of Indian-made liquor and beer containing 3,013 bottles.
The liquor was valued at Rs 8,44,507, while the total value of the seized material, including three vehicles, one mobile phone, cash and other items, was Rs 19,51,107.
Two people — Raviraj Khachar of Nilvada village and Raghuvir Khachar of Khumbhala village — were arrested in the Amreli raid, while three others were declared wanted.
They were identified as Lalabhai Garania of Gadhada, Maulik Teraiya of Babra and Desurabhai Gadhvi of Sitapar village in Botad district.
In Aravalli district, the SMC conducted a raid on a public road on the outskirts of Vatrak village within Bayad police station limits on September 13. Police seized around 100 boxes of Indian-made liquor and beer containing 3,870 bottles, valued at Rs 10,58,682.
One vehicle, two mobile phones and other material were also seized, taking the total value of the seized items to Rs 20,69,682.
One person, Anant Kumar Patel of Moti Katdi Madh Faliya in Godhra, was arrested in the Aravalli case, while six others were declared wanted. Police identified one of them as Abhesing Jadeja, who was from Ahmedabad.
The remaining wanted accused included a person allegedly involved in supplying the liquor from Chaklasi in Kheda district, along with four others allegedly involved in transporting the liquor, piloting the vehicles and owning or possessing the vehicle.
Cases were registered at Babra, Bayad and Pardi police stations under relevant provisions of the Gujarat Prohibition Act.
