11 July,2026 01:11 PM IST | Palghar | mid-day online correspondent
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The Maharashtra State Excise Department has seized a large consignment of foreign liquor and beer that was allegedly being transported illegally into the state from a tempo in Palghar district, officials said on Saturday.
The seizure was made during a joint operation carried out by the State Excise Flying Squad, Palghar, and the Dahanu Division on Friday.
According to officials, the vehicle was intercepted on the Khambala-Jawhar Road near Gorthan village during a routine enforcement operation.
Divisional Deputy Commissioner Ganesh Bargaje said the seized liquor had allegedly been transported illegally from the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu into Maharashtra.
During the search, officials recovered 1,120.32 bulk litres of foreign liquor and 420 bulk litres of beer packed in 164 boxes from the tempo.
The total value of the seized liquor and the vehicle has been estimated at around Rs 22.9 lakh, officials said.
Following the seizure, the excise department registered a case under the relevant provisions of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act.
The tempo driver, a resident of Punjab, was arrested in connection with the case.
Officials have not disclosed the driver's identity as further investigation into the alleged illegal transportation network is underway.
The excise department is investigating the source and intended destination of the seized consignment to determine whether it was part of a larger smuggling operation.
Officials said efforts are also underway to identify other individuals who may have been involved in the illegal transportation of liquor into Maharashtra.
The State Excise Department has been intensifying enforcement drives against the illegal transport and sale of liquor across the state, particularly along border areas, to curb smuggling and prevent revenue losses.
The Maharashtra Excise Department has registered 1,00,048 cases related to the illegal manufacture, sale and transportation of liquor and arrested 72,620 persons so far from 2023-24, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar informed the legislative assembly on Friday.
In a written reply to a question raised by BJP MLA Ameet Satam, Pawar, who holds the excise portfolio, said the department also seized contraband and other material worth Rs 289 crore during the period.
According to the reply, the department registered 29,721 cases in 2023-24, arrested 20,537 persons and seized material worth Rs 69 crore. In 2024-25, the department filed 30,152 cases, arrested 21,607 persons and seized material worth Rs 92 crore, the minister said.
(With inputs from PTI)
