Nagpur: In a major crackdown, the State Excise Department, Nagpur Division, raided an illegal liquor manufacturing unit operating from a row house in Besa and seized counterfeit stock and equipment worth ₹11,93,082. The operation was carried out under Hudkeshwar Police Station limits at Plot No. 38, Krishna Royal, New Hanuman Nagar.
The action, executed on November 18, was conducted under the directions of State Excise Commissioner Rajesh Deshmukh, Joint Commissioner Prasad Surve, Deputy Commissioner Ganesh Patil, and Nagpur Excise Superintendent Surajkumar Ramod. The Divisional Flying Squad led the raid.
During the search, officers uncovered a functioning setup for producing fake country-made and foreign liquor. Seized items include 200 litres of spirit, 175 litres of blended foreign liquor, 513 bulk litres of counterfeit country liquor, 10 litres of essence, large quantities of fake “Rocket” brand labels, bottle caps resembling “Royal Stag” packaging, empty bottles, sealing material, and a two-wheeler believed to be used in the crime.
Two suspects — Manish Nandkishor Jaiswal (48) and Vishal Shambhu Mandal (28) — were arrested from the premises, while efforts are on to trace other absconding accused. The raid team comprised Inspector Dashrath Kshirsagar, officers Jagdish Pawar, Milind Lambade, Amit Kshirsagar, Baliram Itwar, and supporting personnel including Gajanan Rathod, Rahul Sapkal, Sudhir Mankar, Kiran Vaidh, Sachin Adole and Vinod Dumbare. Inspector Dashrath Kshirsagar is leading the further investigation.
Officials stated that rising prices of liquor in Maharashtra have increased the likelihood of illegal liquor being smuggled from neighbouring states or manufactured locally. Such counterfeit liquor poses serious health risks, and its production or sale attracts severe punishment under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act, 1949.
The department has appealed to citizens to report information related to illegal liquor activities on its toll-free number 1800-233-9999 or via WhatsApp at 8422001133.
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