Vadodara: Anklav police busted an alleged late-night liquor party at a farmhouse near Umeta village in Anand district and booked 20 people under prohibition laws, detaining 18 of them from the spot while two others remain absconding, officials said on Saturday.The raid was carried out between 10.30 pm on April 10 and 12.15 am on April 11 at a farmhouse located on the Umeta-Fatepura-Manpura road, around 10 km from Anklav police station.Acting on a tip-off that liquor was being consumed at the premises, a police team, accompanied by panch witnesses and women police personnel, reached the site and found a group of men and women allegedly consuming alcohol.According to police, 15 men and three women — who were known to each other as business associates — had gathered at the farmhouse for a “business party” where liquor was allegedly being served.Police said the farmhouse owner allegedly allowed the premises to be used for the gathering, while another accused is suspected to have arranged the liquor.During the operation, police seized liquor along with party materials and high-value assets. The total value of the seized property is estimated at Rs 1,04,78,500, including liquor cans, plastic glasses, food items and utensils, 22 mobile phones worth around Rs 8.7 lakh and eight four-wheelers valued at approximately Rs 96 lakh. All the items have been taken into custody as part of the investigation.Police said that while 18 accused were apprehended from the spot, two persons, including the farmhouse owner and alleged supplier of liquor, are absconding. Most of the accused are residents of Vadodara.A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Gujarat Prohibition Act, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the source of the liquor and the role of each accused. The raid was conducted under the guidance of senior Anand district police officials, with a team comprising officers and women personnel.
