Valsad LCB Liquor Seizure Massive Bust on Pardi Highway: Valsad LCB Seizes ₹19.73 Lakh Liquor Hidden Behind Plastic Containers in Tempo, Driver Arrested
In the dry state of Gujarat, the relentless battle between law enforcement agencies and the underground bootlegging network continues to intensify day by day. While smugglers are constantly inventing new, innovative, and deceptive methods to bypass police checkpoints, the vigilance of the Gujarat Police has once again proven to be a formidable barrier.
In a major crackdown that has sent shockwaves through the illegal liquor trade across South Gujarat, the Valsad Local Crime Branch (LCB) has executed a flawless intelligence-based operation. The incident unfolded on the busy Pardi Highway, a critical arterial route often exploited by traffickers.
Based on specific and actionable intelligence, the LCB team intercepted a commercial tempo that appeared to be transporting ordinary industrial goods. However, a thorough and skepticism-driven inspection revealed a massive consignment of foreign liquor hidden cleverly behind a wall of empty plastic containers. The operation resulted in the Valsad LCB Liquor Seizure of contraband worth lakhs of rupees, successfully foiling the plans of liquor mafias intending to flood Surat with alcohol.
Valsad LCB Deploys Strategic Trap on Highway
The operation was initiated following strict instructions from the Valsad District Superintendent of Police. The directive was clear: curb prohibition-related offenses with an iron hand. Acting on this mandate, the Valsad LCB team has been on high alert, enhancing their network of informants.
The department received a precise “Pakki Batmi” (solid tip-off) regarding a suspicious movement of alcohol originating from the industrial hub of Vapi and heading towards Surat. The intelligence indicated that a specific tempo, masquerading as a goods carrier, was loaded with a heavy quantity of liquor and would be passing through the Pardi Highway jurisdiction.
Taking this information seriously, the LCB officials quickly organized a strategic watch along the highway. They positioned themselves tactically to monitor the flow of traffic moving from Vapi towards the northern districts. As the team scanned the passing vehicles, they spotted a tempo that perfectly matched the description provided by their informants. The vehicle was signaling to move towards Surat. Without wasting a moment, the police team intercepted the tempo and ordered the driver to pull over to the side of the road for a mandatory inspection.
The Deceptive “Plastic Container” Modus Operandi
When the police first approached the vehicle, the driver, identified as Kedarnath Pal, attempted to maintain a calm and composed demeanor. He tried to mislead the police by presenting what looked like valid transport documents. He insisted that he was merely a transporter carrying a consignment of empty plastic containers and drums for industrial use.
To a casual observer or a hasty checkpoint inspection, the tempo appeared completely legitimate. The rear cargo area was visibly stacked with empty plastic drums and large containers, creating a sophisticated visual barrier. This is a common “Modus Operandi” used by modern bootleggers: hiding illegal cargo behind a “curtain” of legal goods, hoping that police at checkpoints will only glance at the surface and wave them through to avoid delaying traffic.
However, the Valsad LCB officers were seasoned veterans. They were not convinced by the surface appearance or the driver’s confident act. Trusting their intel, they decided to conduct a deep search. As the officers began physically removing the layers of plastic containers, the driver’s nervousness became palpable. The “cover cargo” strategy was about to crumble.
Unearthing the Stash: ₹19.73 Lakh in Foreign Liquor
Upon removing the plastic containers that were placed as a decoy, the police team discovered the reality hidden behind them. The interior of the tempo was not empty; it was packed to the brim with cardboard boxes containing foreign liquor.
The smugglers had meticulously arranged the illicit stock to ensure it wasn’t visible from the outside, utilizing every inch of space behind the plastic wall. The police immediately began the laborious process of unloading and counting the contraband. The inventory revealed a staggering quantity of alcohol bottles of various brands.
According to official police reports, the total value of the foreign liquor seized from the tempo amounted to ₹19.73 Lakh. This significant haul indicates that the shipment was intended for a large distribution network in Surat, likely meant for supply before a weekend or festival.
In addition to the alcohol, the police confiscated the tempo used for the crime and the plastic containers used for concealment. The total value of the “Muddamal” (seized property), including the vehicle and the liquor, is estimated to be around ₹33.23 Lakh. This seizure represents a major financial blow to the bootleggers involved, disrupting their supply chain significantly.
Driver Risked Jail for a Meager ₹1500
The police arrested the driver, Kedarnath Pal, a native of Uttar Pradesh, at the scene. During the preliminary interrogation, a tragic and recurring reality of the smuggling trade came to light: the exploitation of the poor.
The driver confessed that he was merely a pawn in this high-stakes game. He revealed that he had taken up the job of transporting this high-value illegal cargo for a shockingly low payment. Kedarnath stated that he was offered a mere ₹1500 to drive the liquor-laden tempo from Vapi to Surat.
For the sake of this small amount—hardly enough to cover a few days’ expenses—the young driver risked his freedom and now faces years behind bars under the stringent Gujarat Prohibition Act. This confession highlights how liquor mafias often exploit financially vulnerable migrants and drivers to carry out high-risk logistical tasks while they remain safely in the shadows. The police are now investigating the driver’s background to determine if he is a habitual offender or if this was his first involvement in such a crime.
Mastermind Mukesh Sharma Declared Wanted
The interrogation of the driver provided the police with a crucial lead regarding the origin of the consignment. Kedarnath Pal broke down and named Mukesh Sharma, a resident of Vapi, as the person who handed over the stock to him.
According to the driver’s statement, Mukesh Sharma is the mastermind who arranged the vehicle, loaded the liquor in Vapi, and gave specific instructions for its delivery to Surat. Based on this confession, the Valsad Police have registered a case against Sharma and have officially declared him “Wanted” in connection with this crime.
Police suspect that Mukesh Sharma operates a significant network in Vapi, sourcing liquor from neighboring Union Territories like Daman and Silvassa and pushing it into Gujarat. A manhunt has been launched to apprehend him. The police are also working to identify the intended recipients in Surat to dismantle the entire supply chain from source to destination.
Zero Tolerance on Pardi Highway
The Pardi Highway has long been identified as a sensitive route for liquor trafficking due to its direct connectivity with Daman and Silvassa. However, this successful operation by the Valsad LCB sends a strong message that the police are always one step ahead.
The dismantling of this “plastic container” cover-up proves that the police are well-versed with the tricks of the trade and are employing better intelligence networks. The authorities have reiterated their commitment to the strict enforcement of the Prohibition Act.
Senior police officials have stated that surveillance on the highway will be further intensified, with random deep searches becoming the norm. They have warned that anyone involved in the illegal transportation of alcohol, whether a driver or a kingpin, will face the full force of the law. This raid stands as one of the most significant seizures of the year for the Valsad district police.
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