Thane Crime Branch Seizes Illegal Liquor Worth Rs 7.22 Lakh, Three Arrested

Three people have been arrested in connection with the seizure, police said.

Acting on information about the illegal storage of a large quantity of liquor, a Crime Branch team conducted a raid at a tin shed near Shelar Maidan in the Khambalpada area of Dombivli East in Thane district.

During the search, officers recovered 7,920 sealed liquor bottles of various brands. Police said the seized stock was collectively valued at approximately Rs 7,22,700. Nineteen plastic pipes were also recovered from the premises.

The preliminary investigation indicated that the liquor had allegedly been sourced from the Diu-Daman region. Police suspect it was being temporarily stored at the shed before being transported to Rajkot for sale.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Hiren Shankarbhai Bakkar, also known as Bhanushali, 30, Manish Purushottambhai Dhuker, 40, and Vipul Ramakrishna Shukla, 22.

A case has been registered against the three men at Tilaknagar Police Station. Investigators are now examining where the liquor was procured, who was involved in its storage and transportation, and whether other individuals were part of the alleged distribution network.

According to an official release, the action was carried out as part of the Thane Police Commissioner's ongoing drive against the illegal storage and sale of liquor.

The operation was conducted under the supervision of senior police officers by a Crime Branch team led by Senior Police Inspector Ajit Shinde, along with Assistant Police Inspectors Ganesh Dalvi and S. Patil, Police Sub-Inspector Kiran Bhise and other personnel.

Police said further investigation is underway to establish the complete supply chain behind the seized consignment and determine the involvement of any additional suspects.