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Key Points

Gujarat police seized 481 bottles of illegal liquor from an abandoned car in Jamnagar. The contraband, worth Rs 12.46 lakh, was hidden in a Hyundai Creta left unattended. Authorities are investigating the vehicle owner and smuggling network behind the haul. Gujarat, a dry state since 1960, continues to see rampant illegal liquor seizures despite strict laws.

Key Points: Gujarat Police Seize 481 IMFL Bottles in Jamnagar Bootlegging Bust

  • Dhrol police recovered 481 IMFL bottles from an abandoned Hyundai Creta
  • Seized contraband and vehicle valued at Rs 12.46 lakh
  • Gujarat averages one illegal liquor bottle seized every four seconds
  • Authorities tracing vehicle owner and smuggling network
2 min read

481 bottles of IMFL seized in Jamnagar; hunt on for bootleggers

Dhrol police confiscate Rs 12.46 lakh worth of illegal liquor from an abandoned car amid Gujarat's strict prohibition laws.

"The seizure comes amid heightened surveillance against bootlegging and smuggling operations in the region. – Police Officials"

Jamnagar, Aug 6

In a significant catch, Dhrol police in Jamnagar district of Gujarat recovered 481 bottles of Indian‑Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) from an abandoned car on the Dhrol–Jodiya road. The total value of the seized contraband goods, including the vehicle, is estimated at Rs 12.46 lakh, police officials shared on Wednesday.

Acting on a tip-off about a consignment of liquor being transported illegally, the Dhrol police launched an operation. Upon reaching the location, they discovered a white Hyundai Creta (registration number HR 70 G 6087) left unattended by the roadside.

A thorough search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 481 bottles of IMFL concealed inside.

Police immediately seized the vehicle and the contraband booze, initiating an investigation into the case. Authorities have begun tracing the vehicle owner and possible bootleggers involved, based on the car’s registration details.

Further enquiries are underway to determine the source and intended destination of the liquor, as Gujarat remains a dry state where alcohol possession and transport are strictly prohibited without proper permits.

The seizure comes amid heightened surveillance against bootlegging and smuggling operations in the region.

Despite being a longstanding dry state since 1960, Gujarat continues to record staggering volumes of illegal liquor seizures.

In 2024 alone, Gujarat Police confiscated approximately 82 lakh bottles of IMFL, valued at Rs 144 crore, averaging nearly one bottle seized every four seconds.

Ahmedabad city and its surrounding areas accounted for 4.38 lakh bottles, worth about Rs 5.78 crore across 2,139 cases, while also rounding up 1.58 lakh litres of country-made liquor in 7,796 cases, valued at Rs 55.45 lakh.

Other districts also reported significant hauls: Vadodara rural saw Rs 9.8 crore worth of IMFL seized through hidden compartments, Surat rural uncovered disguised shipments worth Rs 8.9 crore, while Navsari recorded 6.23 lakh bottles valued at Rs 8.8 crore, and Godhra and Bhavnagar reported similarly large seizures amidst sophisticated smuggling networks across the dry state.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priyanka N
Good job by Dhrol police! 👏 These bootleggers operate sophisticated networks as mentioned in the article. The numbers are shocking - 1 bottle seized every 4 seconds?! Shows how deep this problem runs in Gujarat despite prohibition.
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Michael C
As someone who's lived in Gujarat for 5 years, I can say prohibition creates more problems than it solves. People just buy from bootleggers at 3x the price. The government loses potential tax revenue while criminals get rich.
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Shreya B
The article mentions hidden compartments and disguised shipments - these bootleggers are so innovative! 😅 If only they used their skills for legal businesses. On serious note, this is a major law and order issue that needs stronger solutions.
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Aman W
While I appreciate police efforts, I wonder how much more slips through? The seized amounts must be just the tip of the iceberg. Prohibition clearly isn't working after 60+ years - time for new approach that acknowledges ground realities.
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Nisha Z
My uncle in Jamnagar says bootleggers deliver alcohol like pizza - just call and they'll bring it home! The police need to focus more on the big fish rather than just catching small transporters. The real kingpins are never caught.

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