Mumbai: Fake premium liquor worth ₹12.43 lakh, suspected to be used for post-win celebrations after the polls to the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other parts of Raigad district, was seized by State Excise Department in Panvel on Saturday.
Based on a tip-off, an excise department team from Flying Squad-2 conducted a raid at a spot behind Hotel Sameer in Panvel. Excise Inspector Suni Kanse said, “We raided the place after getting a tip that duplicate liquor was being manufactured there and was being passed off as imported liquor. The bottles seized closely resembled the original, but the liquor was of inferior quality. The accused claimed it was meant for Gujarat, but as per our information, it was meant for post-civic election celebrations.” In the raid, Mitesh Mavji Barasniya, a resident of Panvel, was arrested. Two other accused are absconding.
In all, 117 bottles with liquor and 472 empty bottles were seized. The full bottles included 59 of Jack Daniels, 39 of Black Label, 12 bottles of Vat 69, one each of Black and White, Grey Goose vodka, Double Black and four bottles of Ria. The empty bottles included 37 of Teachers, 47 of Red Label, 69 of Jack Daniels, 17 of Passport, 31 of Absolut vodka, 38 of Black Label, 49 of Chivas Regal, 27 of J&B, 40 of Double Black, 51 of Vat 69, 25 of Black and White and 40 of Ria.
“Original bottles have a code on the cap of the bottle printed by the Central government, which these did not have. We also found equipment used in manufacturing duplicate liquor,” Mr. Kanse said. The accused was arrested under the Bombay Prohibition Act 1949 and produced in a Panvel court on Monday, which remanded him in police custody till Thursday.
