Vasai Police Busts Two Illicit Liquor Units, Seize Rs 30.7 Lakh Worth of Stock
Vasai: In a major crackdown on illegal country liquor production, the crime detection unit-2 of Vasai Police conducted two separate raids, leading to the seizure of large-scale illicit country liquor production units. The stock and equipment worth over Rs 30.7 lakh were seized, and two accused were arrested in the targeted raids.
Acting on a tip-off, a team led by police inspector Aviraj Kurade raided Panju Bet early morning, where accused Dwarakanath Dattatray Patil (50), resident of Maljipada, Vasai (East), was caught red-handed manufacturing illicit liquor. His associate, Pundalik Mhatre, managed to flee. Police seized 150 litres of ready liquor, 32,400 litres of wash stored in 162 drums, and distillation equipment, collectively valued at Rs 17.8 lakh. Samples were collected, while the remaining stock was destroyed on-site.
In a parallel operation, another team headed by PSI Santosh Ghadge raided Chhote Panju Bet (Bhayandar creek), where Tushar Mahesh Patil (34), also from Maljipada, Vasai (East), was found engaged in illicit brewing. The raid led to the seizure of 90 litres of liquor, 23,800 litres of wash stored in 119 drums, and other equipment, worth Rs 12.9 lakh. Both cases have been registered at Naigaon Police Station under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act.
