26 December,2025 10:17 AM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondent
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In a major crackdown on the illegal liquor trade, Pune Police seized cash worth over Rs 1 crore along with a large stock of illicit liquor during a prohibition raid in the Kondhwa area of the city, officials said on Thursday, reported news agency ANI.
According to the police, the raid was conducted at Kakade Vasti in Kondhwa under the jurisdiction of Kondhwa Police Station. The operation was carried out by officials from the crime branch unit.
During the action, police recovered illicit liquor of various brands worth Rs 2,05,900, including whisky, rum and country liquor, along with 70 litres of liquid stored in cans. Cash amounting to Rs 1,41,050 was also seized from the spot, taking the initial recovery to Rs 3,46,950, reported ANI.
The accused have been identified as Amar Kaur alias Madrikaur Dadasing Junnie, Dildar Singh Dadasing Junnie and Devashree Junnie Singh, who were allegedly involved in the illegal sale of liquor.
Following further investigation, police conducted a search at the residence of the accused, where cash totalling Rs 1,00,85,950 was found concealed in different compartments of a bedroom cupboard. The amount was seized after conducting a panchnama, officials said, reported ANI.
A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and further investigation is underway to trace the source of the illicit liquor and examine the financial network linked to the illegal trade.
Earlier, Pune Police had also claimed to have busted a major drug racket after seizing hydroponic cannabis being cultivated inside a rented flat in Pimpri-Chinchwad and recovering narcotic substances worth approximately Rs 3.45 crore, reported ANI.
Senior police officials said the investigation indicated the involvement of an international drug trafficking network.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Somay Munde said the racket came to light following the arrest of an accused in a drug sale case, after which coordinated operations were carried out in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Mumbai and Goa, reported ANI.
"During the raids, various narcotic substances, including mephedrone, hydroponic cannabis (Ozikush), charas and LSD, were seized," Munde said, reported ANI.
Five accused - Tushar Chetan Verma (21), Sumit Santosh Dedwal (25), Akshay Sukhlal Maher (25), Malay Rajesh Deliwala (28) and Swaraj Anant Bhosale (28) - were arrested in the case, reported ANI.
Police have also frozen Rs 7.80 lakh from the bank accounts of the arrested accused. All the accused have been remanded to police custody.
(With inputs from ANI)
