Nagpur: The recent hike in liquor prices in Maharashtra has triggered a considerable rise in liquor smuggling from neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, where alcohol is significantly cheaper. Sources said Maharashtra-based smugglers have become active in the backdrop of the price hike.The Nagpur crime branch has intensified its crackdown on interstate liquor smuggling, intercepting a consignment smuggled in from other states. In a significant operation on June 28, the crime branch’s Unit No. 2, under senior inspector Mahesh Sagade, Assistant PI Gajanan Chambhare, Mahendra Sadmake, and others under DCP Crime Rahul Maknikar, intercepted branded liquor based on a tip-off about a smuggling operation. The consignment was supposed to be delivered at Jaripatka and some locations in north Nagpur.The action took place near LIC Chowk, under the jurisdiction of Sadar police station. At approximately 9.30pm, the crime branch apprehended Sahil Turkar after his car was intercepted. Another suspect, identified only as Pandit from Gopalganj, Shivni, Madhya Pradesh, remains at large. Sources said Pandit supplied the liquor to Turkar for taking it to Jaripatka.During the raid, the police seized a substantial haul of illicit liquor, including eight 750ml bottles of Black Dog, ten 750ml bottles of Signature, and twenty-two 750ml bottles of Blender’s Pride. Additionally, a silver Skoda four-wheeler, a black Redmi mobile phone, a blue Tecno Spark mobile phone, and a black Nokia keypad phone were confiscated. The total value of the seized items is estimated at Rs6,91,694.Turkar failed to produce any valid permit for the liquor, leading to his arrest and the seizure of the contraband, vehicle, and phones in the presence of witnesses. The seized items and the accused were handed over to Sadar police station for further investigation under sections 65(a), 65(e), and 83 of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act. The police are now pursuing the absconding suspect, Pandit, and intensifying efforts to dismantle the smuggling network.According to police sources, the high demand for affordable liquor in Nagpur has emboldened notorious smugglers like Chelani and others, who are actively exploiting the price disparity to fuel the illegal trade.
