Daijiworld Media Network - Jamnagar

Jamnagar, May 5: Gujarat Police under Lalpur Police Division on Monday publicly destroyed a massive consignment of English liquor and beer worth Rs 52.46 lac near the Dhandhar River banks, as part of the state’s stringent prohibition enforcement drive.

The liquor comprising 9,720 bottles and cans seized in various prohibition cases was bulldozed in the presence of senior police and administrative officials. The contraband was confiscated from cases registered under Lalpur, Meghpar (Paddhar), Jamjodhpur, and Sheth Vadala police stations.

The operation was conducted under the supervision of IPS officer Pratibha, assistant superintendent of police, Lalpur Division. Also present were S J Aswar, sub-divisional magistrate of Lalpur; P T Jaiswal, in-charge PI of Lalpur and Meghpar; S C Vala, prohibition and excise officer of Jamnagar; and V S Patel, in-charge PI of Jamjodhpur and Sheth Vadala.

The destruction was carried out in line with court directives, in full compliance with legal procedures, and in the presence of a government-appointed committee to ensure transparency.

“Thousands of liquor bottles and beer cans, including various foreign brands, were crushed by bulldozer as part of our continued crackdown on the illegal liquor trade,” an official said.

Despite Gujarat being a dry state since its inception, smuggling of liquor continues from neighbouring states like Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh. Official data shows that over Rs 200 cr worth of illicit liquor has been seized in the past five years. In 2023 alone, more than 75,000 prohibition-related cases were registered, with nearly 30 lac litres of illegal alcohol confiscated in 2022.