Excise Dept busts interstate liquor racket in Thane district

THANE: (Mar 14) The Maharashtra Excise Department has dismantled a major inter-state illicit liquor racket operating in Thane district, seizing contraband valued at Rs 32 lakh after conducting multiple raids over the last four days, an officer said on Saturday.

Officials intercepted two four-wheelers in Bhiwandi on the night of March 10, leading to the recovery of 10 jars with a capacity of 20 litres each and 2,000 bottles of whiskey. Four individuals were detained at the spot, and goods valued at Rs 19.29 lakh were seized, said Superintendent of State Excise (Thane) Pravin Tambe.

Further investigation led the excise team to conduct raids at the residences of suspected buyers and suppliers in Chavdar Pada and Kongaon.