State excise officials are also on the lookout for two individuals, one based in Surat and the other in Mumbai, who are alleged to be the kingpins.
Indicating that cheaper liquor from other states may be making its way to Maharashtra during the ongoing festive season, state excise officials seized a consignment of liquor which was meant for duplication using bottles of high-end brands.
This seizure was made on Tuesday morning in Talasari in Palghar. Officials said the modus operandi of the smuggling racket involved concealing bottles in cavities of a car below the driver and passenger seats. The liquor, which was meant for sale in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, was being smuggled into Maharashtra for duplication, where it would be refilled in bottles of high-end brands, and passed off as the original.
State excise officials are also on the lookout for two individuals, one based in Surat and the other in Mumbai, who are alleged to be the kingpins. The total value of the seizure, which includes an Innova car, is over Rs 15 lakh.
Maharashtra follows a policy of discouraging liquor consumption through high prices and low sales and has one of the highest excise duty regimes in India. However, neighbouring states and union territories like Goa and Daman have comparatively liberal policies and the cheaper costs of liquor lead to a huge incentive for smugglers and bootleggers to smuggle in the brew to Maharashtra.
Subhash Jadhav, sub-inspector, flying squad, Palghar, said they had recovered 44 boxes of liquor containing brands like Royal Stag, Royal Challenge, Blenders Pride and other local brews. "They had concealed the bottles in cavities under seats and elsewhere. These were meant for duplication in Mumbai," added Jadhav.
The price difference made smuggling an attractive proposition for bootleggers. For instance, a 750ML bottle of a popular liquor brand will cost just Rs 175 in Silvassa, as against Rs 800 in Maharashtra.
Jadhav said the liquor was being brought into Mumbai for sale during the festive season. "Later, there is heavy bandobast on the border, so they were trying to bring it now… the smugglers also chose morning time to bring their consignment to Maharashtra as the duty in many police stations changes at 8am and this is when the authorities may have their guard down," he added.
The prime targets of these rackets, which make a killing due to the margins involved, are the neo-rich class which seeks to shift from low quality liquor to premium brands but is unable to distinguish between original and duplicate versions.
Maharashtra saw prohibition being imposed from 1949 till the 1960s, which led to the underworld get into bootlegging in parts of Mumbai and the state. During this period, wine shops released fixed units of the brew to permit holders on health grounds. However, restrictions on consumption of liquor were gradually eased over the years through the permit system endures. Three districts—Wardha, Gadchiroli and Chandrapur are under prohibition.
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