Midnight Raid: Vapi Dungra Police Seizes ₹3.34 Lakh Liquor Near Lavachha; Driver Flees in Dramatic Chase
In a significant triumph for law enforcement in South Gujarat, the Vapi Dungra Police has successfully foiled a major attempt to smuggle alcohol into the state. Amidst the strict enforcement of prohibition laws across Gujarat, the police have delivered a severe blow to the bootlegging network operating on the porous border between the state and the Union Territory.
Acting on precise intelligence and maintaining a high level of vigilance, the police team intercepted a commercial tempo near the Lavachha area, which lies adjacent to the Union Territory of Silvassa. The operation resulted in the seizure of a massive consignment of illegal foreign liquor worth lakhs of rupees.
While the police successfully recovered the contraband and the vehicle, the operation witnessed a dramatic turn of events worthy of a crime thriller. The driver of the vehicle, realizing he was cornered, managed to escape into the pitch-black darkness, abandoning his valuable cargo. This incident has sent shockwaves through the local bootlegging circles, highlighting the Vapi Dungra Police Liquor Seizure as a testament to the department’s zero-tolerance policy.
High Alert at Lavachha Patel Faliya
The operation unfolded on Thursday night when the Vapi Dungra Police team was conducting an intensive vehicle patrolling drive. The police leadership had identified specific chokepoints that are frequently used by smugglers. The area of Lavachha Patel Faliya is strategically sensitive as it serves as a key entry point for vehicles coming from Silvassa into Vapi.
Given the proximity to the border, this route is often exploited by criminal elements trying to smuggle cheap liquor from the wet territory of Silvassa into the dry state of Gujarat. Aware of this “Cat and Mouse” game, the police had set up a strategic watch in the area. The team was meticulously checking suspicious vehicles entering from the Silvassa side to curb any illegal activities.
The atmosphere was tense as the police personnel scanned the traffic in the dark hours. Their primary objective was to ensure that the prohibition laws were strictly upheld and to intercept any vehicle that looked out of place or suspicious in its movement pattern.
The Interception of the ‘Badadost’ Tempo
As the night progressed, the police team stationed at Lavachha spotted a vehicle approaching from the direction of Silvassa. It was a ‘Badadost’ model tempo, a robust light commercial vehicle often used for transporting goods. However, the movement of this specific vehicle raised immediate alarms among the patrolling officers.
In the dead of night, the behavior of the driver or the way the vehicle was loaded seemed to trigger the police’s suspicion. The police observed the tempo’s approach and decided to intercept it for a routine check.
In the ongoing drive to stop liquor trafficking in Vapi and its surrounding areas, the police have been operating in full “action mode,” leaving nothing to chance. The officers prepared to stop the vehicle, signaling the driver to halt using torches and batons. This moment of interception was crucial, as it would lead to the unearthing of a significant quantity of contraband that was intended for illegal distribution within the state.
Panic and Escape: Driver Abandons Ship
As the ‘Badadost’ tempo, bearing the registration number DD-01-T-9423, drew closer to the checkpoint, the sight of the uniformed police team caused immediate panic in the driver’s cabin.
Realizing that there was no way to pass through the checkpoint unnoticed and that his illicit cargo would inevitably be discovered, the driver made a split-second decision to save himself. He abruptly steered the tempo to the side of the road, screeching it to a halt just before the police barricade.
Before the police could surround the vehicle or apprehend him, the driver jumped out of the tempo’s cabin. Taking advantage of the pitch-black darkness and the specific geographical layout of the Lavachha area—which offers open fields and cover—he sprinted away from the scene. The suddenness of his escape allowed him to disappear into the night before the officers could close the distance.
A Treasure Trove of Contraband Discovered
The police personnel on duty reacted swiftly and attempted to chase the fleeing driver. However, the lack of light and the driver’s familiarity with the terrain allowed him to evade capture. Despite the driver’s escape, the police secured the abandoned vehicle and turned their attention to its cargo.
The vehicle was left standing on the road, a silent testimony to the crime. Upon conducting a preliminary inspection of the tempo, the police found the cargo area covered with tarpaulin sheets, a common method used to conceal illegal goods from prying eyes.
When the officers lifted the covers and searched the rear of the tempo, their suspicions were confirmed. The vehicle was heavily loaded with cardboard boxes. It became immediately clear that this was not a transport of ordinary goods, but a well-planned smuggling operation.
Foreign Liquor Worth ₹3.34 Lakh Seized
The Dungra Police conducted a thorough and detailed search of the seized tempo. Inside, they discovered a large stash of Foreign Liquor bottles packed in numerous boxes. The bootleggers had attempted to smuggle various brands of alcohol into Gujarat, defying the state’s strict prohibition laws.
After counting the inventory box by box, the police declared that the total value of the seized liquor amounted to ₹3.34 Lakh. This significant quantity indicates that the consignment was meant for a substantial distribution network within Vapi or neighboring regions.
The fact that such a large amount was being transported in a single trip highlights the scale on which these bootleggers attempt to operate. However, the alertness of the Dungra Police ensured that this liquor never reached its intended destination, preventing it from flooding the local black market.
Investigation: Manhunt for the Fugitive
Following the seizure, the police took legal possession of the entire stock of liquor. Additionally, the vehicle used for the crime, the tempo with registration number DD-01-T-9423, was also seized under the provisions of the law.
The total value of the “Muddamal” (seized property), including the expensive liquor and the commercial vehicle, runs into lakhs of rupees. All the seized items were transported to the Dungra Police Station for further processing and evidence logging.
While the driver managed to slip away in the dark, the Dungra Police have not let up in their pursuit. A case has been officially registered against the unidentified driver under the relevant sections of the Prohibition Act.
The police have officially declared the driver as “Wanted.” The investigation has now shifted into high gear. Using the registration details of the seized tempo (DD-01-T-9423), the police are tracing the ownership of the vehicle to identify the driver and the masterminds behind this shipment. The authorities are digging deep to investigate who ordered this consignment, where it was loaded in Silvassa, and where it was supposed to be delivered in Gujarat.
Conclusion: A Strict Warning to Bootleggers
The successful operation by the Vapi Dungra Police has created a sense of fear among criminal elements involved in the illegal liquor trade. The message is clear: the police are watching, and the borders are not porous.
The Lavachha incident has proven that even night-time operations are under strict surveillance. The police have intensified checking at all border points to ensure that the prohibition policy is implemented effectively. This crackdown is expected to deter other bootleggers who might be planning similar runs. The Dungra Police have reiterated their commitment to keeping Vapi and the surrounding areas free from the menace of illegal alcohol, ensuring the safety and security of the law-abiding citizens.
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