25 December,2025 07:05 AM IST | Mumbai | Anish Patil
43,000 litres of illicit booze were seized across the city in a day. Representation pic/istock
Ahead of the upcoming elections and New Year celebrations, Mumbai Police intensified action against illegal liquor sale and storage, seizing nearly 43,000 litres of illicit alcohol across the city in a single day. The special drive was carried out to prevent law-and-order issues and curb the illegal supply of liquor during the high-demand period.
As part of the crackdown, police conducted raids at seven locations, including Nehru Nagar, Deonar, RCF, Mahim, and Shivaji Nagar, targeting stockpiles of country-made liquor meant for illegal sale.
In one operation, the Crime Detection Team (CDT) of RCF police station booked a 72-year-old woman for allegedly selling country-made liquor without a licence near the Vashinaka bridge in Chembur on the night of December 23. Acting on specific information, police laid a trap and found her in possession of 77 bottles of GM Santra country liquor. She reportedly failed to produce any valid permit, following which the stock was seized and a case was registered under Section 65(e) of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act.
In another raid conducted in the early hours of December 24, the Crime Detection Team of Nehru Nagar police station booked a 36-year-old man after seizing 52 bottles of GM Santra country liquor allegedly meant for illegal sale. The accused failed to produce any licence or permit.
Police officers said most of the seized liquor during the citywide drive was country-made alcohol, illegally stocked for sale. "Such special drives will continue to ensure law and order and prevent the illegal sale of liquor," a police officer said, adding that further legal action is underway against those involved.
Separately, Mumbai Police have stepped up surveillance of known offenders ahead of the elections and New Year celebrations. Police have compiled lists of 2751 history-sheeters across the city as part of preventive measures.
Police records show that 2308 accused involved in gold chain-snatching, 5557 absconding accused, 16,652 wanted persons, and 9253 criminals recently released from jail are currently under watch. In addition, 8398 accused involved in body offences and extortion cases, 906 externed criminals, and 1779 persons booked under the Arms Act have been identified. A separate list of 3015 history-sheeters involved in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) cases has also been prepared. Officials said regular checks and monitoring are being carried out to prevent any law-and-order issues.
Meanwhile, ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, the Mumbai Police have initiated steps to strengthen manpower at police stations across the city. Personnel who have completed more than five years of service in Local Arms (LA) units have been asked to apply for posting at police stations, if willing, according to an internal communication.
Police officers said the move aims to ensure adequate deployment of experienced personnel during the election period, when law-and-order management, preventive action, and election-related responsibilities increase significantly. Eligible personnel have been asked to submit their applications within the prescribed timeframe.
