Fake caps, labels: Liquor worth ₹11.55 lakh seized in Pune, Ahilyanagar ahead of Diwali
The action was carried out following a tip-off that counterfeit foreign liquor was being stored at Bangarwadi in a village of Junnar taluka for illegal sale.
The Maharashtra Excise Department uncovered a counterfeit liquor operation in Pune and the neighboring Ahilyanagar districts, seizing liquor worth ₹11.55 lakh. Three individuals were arrested in connection with the case. This operation took place just days before the Diwali festival, following a tip-off about counterfeit foreign liquor, stored at Bangarwadi in Belhe village of Junnar taluka, being illegally sold.
Officers from the Pune division's State Excise Department conducted a raid on the premises, arresting Sachin Ganpat Gadge (40), Tahir Yusuf Shaikh (43), and Sagar Ramdas Borude (27). These three accused, linked to Nimgaon Sawa in Junnar taluka, were found in possession of 96 Royal Stag whisky bottles, 5,040 GM Santra country liquor bottles, and all bearing fake caps and labels. The seized liquor was valued at ₹4.27 lakh.
Following the initial raid, the excise team received information about another stockpile in Alkuti village of Parner taluka in Ahilyanagar district. This led to a second raid, where 1,392 Royal Stag whisky bottles and 1,728 Imperial Blue whisky bottles were seized. The second seizure was valued at approximately ₹7.28 lakh, bringing the total value of seized liquor to ₹11.55 lakh.
A case has been registered against the accused under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949. Ongoing investigations aim to determine the counterfeit liquor's source, distribution network, and if more individuals are involved in the illicit operation.
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