Crime Branch seizes liquor worth Rs 11.20 lakh from SUV on Nagpur-Wardha highway
Crime Branch Unit-1 stopped a Scorpio allegedly carrying illegal liquor from Wardha to Nagpur; the driver has been booked under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act.
A team of Crime Branch Unit-1 stopped a Scorpio on the Nagpur-Wardha highway that was allegedly being used to carry illegal liquor. According to the police, goods worth Rs 11.20 lakh in all, including liquor and other items, were seized.
The action took place on September 30 between 9.30 pm and 10.50 pm. Crime Branch personnel were on patrol in the area at the time, looking for criminals.
Police said the team had received reliable information that a consignment of liquor was being brought illegally from Wardha towards Nagpur in a silver-grey Scorpio. Acting on this, the team laid a trap on the Nagpur-Wardha highway, in front of the Sole Rooftop hotel, within the limits of Hingna police station.
Police spotted a Scorpio matching the description, bearing registration number MH-20-DJ-4740, and stopped the vehicle.
A search was conducted in the presence of panch witnesses. The driver gave his name as Yogesh Ganesh Akode. He is 34 years old and lives at Plot No. 84 in Hudkeshwar, Nagpur.
According to police, a large quantity of liquor was found in the vehicle. It included 1,000 bottles of country liquor labelled "Bhingari Santra No. 1", packed in 10 boxes.
The search also turned up 48 bottles of Royal Challenge, 48 bottles of Magic Moments, 96 bottles of Royal Stag (180 ml) and 96 bottles of Royal Stag (90 ml). Police also seized a mobile phone and the Scorpio used to carry the liquor.
Police said the total value of the seized goods, including the liquor, vehicle and mobile phone, has been put at Rs 11,20,480.
A case has been registered against Akode at Hingna police station under Section 65(e) of the Maharashtra Prohibition Act. The accused was handed over to Hingna police, along with the seized liquor and other items, for further legal action.
Police said the investigation is continuing. They are trying to establish where the liquor came from, where it was meant to be delivered and whether anyone else was involved in the alleged illegal transport network.
