Ahmedabad: The Prevention of Crime Branch (PCB) has uncovered a specially built hidden compartment in a luxury bus allegedly used to transport liquor from Rajasthan into Ahmedabad. Police seized liquor and vehicles worth nearly Rs 27 lakh, arrested two drivers and launched a search for four other suspects who escaped.Acting on a tip-off, PCB officials intercepted the bus parked near Maruti Travels on D Colony Road in Shaherkotda on Sunday morning. A loading tempo and a motorcycle were also found at the spot.Police arrested bus driver Mohsin Iqbal Shaikh (31) and tempo driver Makturam Rajubhai Vanzara (32). Two other men fled after noticing the police team.During the search, officers recovered 1,432 quarter bottles of Indian-made foreign liquor packed in bags. They also discovered a specially fabricated compartment between the rear tyres of the bus, where additional liquor had been concealed.The seizure included liquor worth Rs 3.8 lakh, a luxury bus, a loading tempo, an abandoned motorcycle, a mobile phone and cash. The total value of the seized property was estimated at Rs 26.9 lakh.During questioning, Mohsin allegedly told investigators that he had driven the bus to Rajsamand district in Rajasthan, where the liquor was loaded at a service station before being transported to Ahmedabad. He allegedly said the consignment was meant to be delivered to a person in the Amraiwadi area.Makturam allegedly told police that he had arrived to collect the liquor consignment and had transported similar consignments in the past.Police have booked the two arrested men along with Sameer Anish, Daulat Vanzara, bus conductor Gopal and other unidentified persons under the Gujarat Prohibition Act.
