Pune Excise Department Seizes Rs 30 Lakh Worth of Goa Liquor in Illegal Import Bust
Reported By Sumit Singh
Daund, 16th June 2024: The Pune State Excise Department has taken action by seizing goods worth more than Rs 30 lakh, including liquor imported from Goa. The operation was conducted by the Daund Division when liquor destined for sale in Ahmednagar district was intercepted. Goa’s liquor, cheaper due to lower excise tax compared to Maharashtra, is frequently illegally imported on a large scale into Maharashtra.
Today, within the jurisdiction of the Daund Division of the Pune State Excise Department, two suspicious vehicles—a Mahindra Bolero Pikup and a Hyundai Creta—were spotted on Moregaon-Supe Road. Upon questioning the drivers, they failed to provide satisfactory answers regarding the contents of their vehicles. Upon inspection, liquor concealed under empty mango boxes intended for sale in Ahmednagar District was discovered.
Foreign liquor valued at Rs 12,61,000, two vehicles valued at Rs 17,50,000, and two mobile phones valued at Rs 60,000 were seized, amounting to Rs 30,71,000. A case has been registered with the Daund State Excise Division, leading to the arrest of Namdev Haribhau Khaire, Sandeep Baban Sanap, Gorakh Bhagwan Palve, and Mahesh Gulabrao Autade—all residents of Ahmednagar. Excise Sub Inspector Pradeep Jhunjruk is investigating this matter further.
This operation was conducted under the orders of Dr Vijay Suryavanshi, Commissioner of the Maharashtra State Excise Department, and Director Prasad Surve. Guided by Deputy Divisional Commissioner of Pune State Excise Sagar Dhomkar, Superintendent Charan Singh Rajput, Deputy Superintendents Uttamrao Shinde, Sujit Patil, and Santosh Jagdale, the operation was carried out by a team led by Excise Inspector Vijay Rokade, Excise Sub Inspector Pradeep Jhunjruk, and Excise Constables Shubham Bhoite, Keshav Vamane, Navnath Padwal, Ashok Patil, and Chandrakant Ingale.
