Excise Department Seizes Fake Goa Liquor Worth Rs 52 Lakh in Major Pune Operation
Pune, 16th May 2025: In a major crackdown, the Maharashtra State Excise Department seized 305 boxes of counterfeit Goa liquor and a six-wheeler vehicle, with the total value of confiscated goods reaching Rs 52,28,800.
The operation took place on May 15, 2025, under the guidance of Excise Commissioner Dr. Rajesh Deshmukh, Joint Commissioner (Enforcement & Vigilance) P.P. Surve, Divisional Deputy Commissioner Sagar Dhomkar, Superintendent Charansingh Rajput, and Deputy Superintendent Sujit Patil.
The raid was conducted by Inspector Sanjay K. Kolhe and his team at the old Pune-Mumbai highway, opposite Vallabh Nagar bus station, Pimpri, Pune. Acting on a tip-off, the team stopped an EICHER six-wheeler vehicle (MH-15-JC-1388) and, upon inspection, discovered 305 boxes of Royal Blue Whisky, each bottle with a capacity of 180 ml, manufactured in Goa and meant for sale only in that state. The seized liquor was valued at Rs 24,88,800, while the vehicle itself was valued at Rs 27,40,000.
The accused, Vishal Suklal Varade, age 31, a resident of Jalgaon, was arrested at the scene.
Superintendent Charansingh Rajput stated, “Such actions will continue regularly to prevent illegal liquor trade, which causes significant revenue loss to the government.” He also appealed to the public to report any information about illegal liquor businesses to the State Excise Department, Pune, at 020-2612-7321 or via the toll-free number 18002339999 and WhatsApp at 8422001133.
