Pune: Excise Department Cracks Down on Inter-State Liquor Smuggling Ahead of Polls; Seizures Cross Rs 48 Lakh
Pune, 18th December 2025: The State Excise Department’s Pune Division has intensified its crackdown on illegal liquor transportation, uncovering two major inter-state smuggling operations and seizing liquor and vehicles collectively valued at nearly Rs 48 lakh. Five people have been arrested in connection with the cases.
In the first operation, excise officials acting on intelligence inputs stopped a car bearing registration number MH12 MR 1904 on the Pune–Solapur highway within the Uruli Kanchan limits. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a sizeable stock of foreign liquor manufactured in Goa, being transported illegally into Maharashtra. The driver was taken into custody at the spot, and subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of the alleged mastermind from Karmala in Solapur district. Three accused were arrested in this case, with liquor and the vehicle together valued at Rs 4.71 lakh.
A second operation was carried out by the Saswad excise unit at Sarola village along the Satara–Pune National Highway. A six-wheeler truck (MH12 SI 25918) was intercepted, during which officials found that liquor intended for sale in Goa was being smuggled under the cover of a pharmaceutical consignment. Two persons were arrested, and contraband liquor along with the transport vehicle worth Rs 43.57 lakh was seized.
The coordinated enforcement action was undertaken under the directions of Rajesh Deshmukh, Commissioner of State Excise (Mumbai), Prasad Surve, Joint Commissioner (Enforcement and Vigilance), and Sagar Dhomkar, Deputy Commissioner (Pune Division), with overall supervision by Pune Superintendent Atul Kanade.
Enhanced Monitoring Ahead of Civic Elections:
In view of the upcoming municipal elections in parts of Pune district, the Excise Department has stepped up vigilance to curb the illegal supply of liquor aimed at influencing voters. A total of 21 excise squads have been deployed across the district to monitor highways, rural routes and sensitive locations.
Superintendent Atul Kanade has instructed teams to conduct night patrols, intensify intelligence collection, and carry out systematic vehicle inspections. The department has reiterated that strict legal action will continue against those involved in illicit liquor manufacturing, transport and distribution.
Residents with information related to illegal liquor activities have been urged to contact the toll-free helpline 1800-233-9999 or the Pune Excise Office at 020-26127321.
