03 June,2026 08:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Officials also seized eight vehicles allegedly used for transporting illegal liquor. Representational Pic/File
The Maharashtra Excise Department has arrested 213 people across Thane, Palghar and Raigad districts as part of a major crackdown on the manufacture and sale of illicit liquor following the recent hooch tragedy in Pune, reported the PTI.
The special enforcement drive was conducted between May 29 and June 2 on the instructions of senior excise authorities.
Officials registered 313 cases during the operation and seized or destroyed property worth Rs 1.58 crore.
According to Divisional Deputy Commissioner (Excise) for the Konkan Division, Pradeep Pawar, excise teams raided illegal liquor manufacturing units and sales outlets across the three districts, the news agency reported.
Several hand-distillation units operating in creek-side areas and remote locations were demolished during the campaign.
The officials targeted known hotspots in Thane, Palghar and Raigad districts that have a history of illicit liquor production.
Officials also seized eight vehicles allegedly used for transporting illegal liquor.
The department has prepared a list of suspected liquor manufacturers and sellers in the region as part of efforts to prevent incidents similar to the recent hooch tragedy, according to the PTI.
The excise department has appealed to residents to report illegal liquor production, sale and transportation through its toll-free helpline and WhatsApp services.
The crackdown comes after a spurious liquor tragedy in Pune and neighbouring Pimpri Chinchwad claimed at least 15 lives. Following the incident, the state government suspended 22 police and excise officials for failing to curb illegal liquor activities, as per the PTI.
Last week, the toxic liquor tragedy that has claimed at least 10 lives in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad has exposed the deep-rooted network of illegal liquor dens operating openly in the twin cities.
Deaths were reported from Phugewadi, Hadapsar, and nearby areas, leaving several families devastated. Residents alleged that illicit country liquor had been sold in the localities for decades despite repeated complaints to authorities.
The worst-hit pockets include Anandvan, Katevasti, Sanjay Nagar, Azad Chowk, and Jai Maharashtra Chowk in Phugewadi, where residents reported panic and grief after multiple sudden deaths linked to methanol-laced liquor.
Locals said illegal liquor was commonly sold in plastic pouches known as "fuga" or "balloons".
Police investigations revealed that the accused Radheshyam Prajapati allegedly manufactured illicit liquor in Uruli Kanchan, while Yogesh Wankhede allegedly supplied it to illegal liquor dens across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
Investigators said methanol was allegedly mixed into the liquor to increase the quantity and profits. However, the toxic content reportedly exceeded safe levels, turning the liquor deadly.
(with PTI inputs)
