A major counterfeit liquor operation was unearthed in Adipur, Kutch, where police seized thousands of duplicate flasks and hundreds of liters of unidentified chemicals. Investigations reveal the raw materials were smuggled from outside the state.

  • Police seized 10,000 counterfeit red flasks and over 600 liters of unidentified chemicals in Adipur.
  • Two suspects from Mumbai and Mathura have been arrested.
  • Investigation reveals chemicals and equipment were brought into Gujarat from other states.

In a significant breakthrough, a specialized police team reporting to Border Range Inspector General (IG) Chirag Koradia busted a large-scale counterfeit liquor syndicate in the Adipur area of Gandhidham, Kutch. The raid resulted in the seizure of 10,000 red flasks (180 ml) designed to mimic a popular Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) brand, along with more than 600 liters of unidentified chemical substances and manufacturing apparatus.

According to SP Sagar Bagmar, the investigation has revealed that the operation had interstate links. The chemical precursors used to manufacture the spurious alcohol were brought into Gujarat from outside the state just two days prior to the raid. Fortunately, authorities intercepted the stock before any of the liquid-filled flasks could be distributed to the public, preventing a potential mass poisoning event.

Read Also:Youth Arrested in Kalaburagi Over Alleged Links to Pakistan-Based Social Media Accounts

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this crackdown comes at a critical time, following a recent tragic incident in the Bhavnagar district where methanol-laced liquor led to fatalities. The sophistication of the counterfeiters—using branded-looking flasks and sourcing chemicals across state lines—indicates a highly organized criminal network that poses a direct threat to public safety.

The use of interstate supply chains for illicit chemicals highlights the growing complexity of organized crime in the liquor sector.

The police have arrested two individuals: Hiteshkumar Khimji Bambhaniya (33) from Mumbai, Maharashtra, and Radhakishan Dalchand Jat (44) from Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. A local court has granted the police a nine-day remand for the accused. The investigation has now been handed over to the Local Crime Branch (LCB) to trace the remaining suspects and the source of the chemicals.

Historical Background

The production of 'spurious liquor' has long been a menace in various parts of India. Criminal syndicates often exploit the demand for branded spirits by creating highly convincing duplicates. In states with strict prohibition or high excise duties, the incentive for such illegal manufacturing increases, often leading to the use of toxic substances like methanol, which can cause blindness or death.

Did You Know?: Methanol, often used in illicit liquor, is highly toxic and can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What was seized during the Kutch police raid?
Police seized 10,000 counterfeit red flasks, 600 liters of unidentified chemicals, and liquor-making equipment.

2. Where are the arrested suspects from?
The suspects are residents of Mumbai, Maharashtra, and Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.