In a significant operation by the flying squad of the Pune Division State Excise Department, illegal Goa-manufactured liquor and other items worth a total of ₹31.23 lakh were seized on Friday. The action took place at Arangaon in Jamkhed taluka of Ahmednagar district and Lonarwadi in Paranda taluka of Dharashiv district.
The accused have been identified as Deepak Atmaram Khedkar (46), Bharat Shahaji Ralebhat (35), Manoj Dattatraya Raipalli (49), Dattatraya Gangadhar Sonawane (32), all residents of Ahmednagar, and Shatrugun alias Shatrun Navnath Kirdak (37) and Kailas Anna Jogdand (34), both from Dharashiv.
According to information shared by Sagar Dhomkar, Divisional Deputy Commissioner (Pune Division State Excise Department), during the raid, the flying squad intercepted illegal liquor transport near an HP petrol pump on the Shrigonda-Jamkhed road in Arangaon, when the Goa-manufactured liquor was being transferred between vehicles. Police seized 27 boxes of sealed 750 ml whiskey bottles and a car, amounting to ₹16,72,720, and a case has been registered with the excise department.
Following up on the first raid, the squad conducted another operation near Bhairavnath Temple in Lonarwadi, Dharashiv district, and confiscated 18 boxes containing 216 sealed whiskey bottles (750 ml each) along with two four-wheelers, valued at ₹14,50,480.
A case has been filed under sections 65 (a)(e), 81, 83, 90, and 108 of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949. The operation was conducted under the guidance of Inspector Narendra Thorat and executed by Sub-Inspector Viraj Mane and other staff members.
The Excise Department has urged citizens to report such activities in their area by contacting the State Excise Department toll-free number: 020-29911986.
