Truck from Rajasthan intercepted, liquor worth Rs 1.1 crore seized

Ahmedabad: A container truck from Bhangadh in Rajasthan was intercepted in Naroda, and beer tins and other liquor worth Rs 1.08 crore was seized by a Prevention of Crime Branch team on Tuesday morning.

A complaint was lodged by Kishore Pratabh, a PCB head constable, with the Naroda police. Tipped off, the PCB teams set up surveillance near a bridge in Naroda and stopped an Ashok Leyland container bearing registration number RJ-14-GR-8442.

According to the complaint, the driver initially claimed that the container was loaded with bicycles and produced transport documents, including an invoice and e-way bill showing that the consignment was being transported from Ludhiana in Punjab to Nadiad in Gujarat. On inspection, however, officers found that the container seal had been tampered with. They discovered a large stock of Indian-made foreign liquor (IMFL) and beer tins hidden inside.

The seized stock included whisky bottles of several brands and 7,128 beer tins. Police said the total liquor haul comprised 23,232 units valued at Rs 1.08 crore.

The driver, identified as Mangeram Singh, a Rajasthan resident, was detained. During questioning, he told police that he was promised Rs 20,000 to transport the consignment and use forged consignment documents as a cover.

Police have named other suspected associates from Rajasthan and launched further investigation into the supply network and intended delivery point in Ahmedabad. The cops in the complaint said that the truck came from Bhangadh in Hanumangadh district in Rajasthan. MSID:: 129634420 413 |